How to Read “Accomplish things through people”
Hito ni yorite koto wo nasu
Meaning of “Accomplish things through people”
“Accomplish things through people” means achieving goals by borrowing the strength of others.
This isn’t about passively depending on people. It expresses an active attitude of using the right collaborators’ abilities to reach big goals you can’t achieve alone.
This proverb is used when tackling major projects or difficult challenges. It recognizes that your own abilities have limits.
You strategically use others’ wisdom, skills, and networks. It often appears in leadership and business contexts.
Leaders quote it when explaining the importance of identifying talented people and drawing out their maximum potential.
Today, as teamwork and networking grow more important, this proverb’s essential wisdom is being rediscovered.
Not trying to handle everything alone, but borrowing others’ strengths in the right roles, is actually proof of competence. It’s a smart way to produce great results.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb isn’t clearly documented. However, it likely comes from ancient Chinese philosophy.
It was probably influenced by military strategy books and writings about worldly wisdom. The expression “yorite” is classical Japanese meaning “to rely on” or “to use as a foundation.”
It carries more than just “borrowing.” It implies strategically utilizing others’ power.
In ancient China, people widely shared the idea that one person’s power has limits. They believed accomplishing great things always requires others’ cooperation.
Military strategy books like “The Art of War” taught the wisdom of even using enemy forces. “Accomplish things through people” likely belongs to this tradition of practical wisdom.
After reaching Japan, it was passed down as wisdom for the samurai class and as business philosophy for merchants.
Rather than trying to complete everything alone, you identify the right people and borrow their strength to achieve great results.
This thinking fits well with Japanese culture’s emphasis on organizations and groups. That’s probably why it has been told for so long.
Usage Examples
- For launching the new business, I plan to accomplish things through people by asking experts in each field for cooperation
- There’s no point worrying alone. There’s a saying about accomplishing things through people, so let me consult my senior
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Accomplish things through people” contains an essential truth about human society.
That truth is that humans cannot live alone. No matter how talented someone is, their abilities have limits. Time is also finite.
Yet humanity has developed this far because we recognized these limits. We overcame them by cooperating with each other.
Behind this proverb’s long history lies a fundamental human conflict. We all have the desire to accomplish things with our own power.
Independence and pride are important feelings. But at the same time, we face the reality that we have limits when alone.
Within this conflict, our ancestors discovered one piece of wisdom. Borrowing others’ strength isn’t weakness—it’s actually strength.
Truly capable people can ask the right person for cooperation at the right time.
The ability to judge people, build trust, and feel gratitude—all of these are included in “Accomplish things through people.”
Humans are social creatures. We can demonstrate our greatest power through connections.
This proverb expresses this universal truth simply and clearly.
When AI Hears This
When using connections to accomplish things, “acquaintances you occasionally meet” are often more useful than close friends.
This can be explained by sociologist Granovetter’s discovery of “the strength of weak ties.” Close friends exist in the same information sphere, so the information they know overlaps.
On the other hand, acquaintances you rarely meet belong to completely different communities. They have a higher probability of bringing new information and opportunities you don’t have.
Even more interesting is the influence of “bridge” people who connect multiple groups.
According to Burt’s structural holes theory, when there’s no direct connection between Group A and Group B, the person who uniquely connects them can monopolize the flow of information.
For example, if you have connections in both the engineer community and the executive community, you can stand in a privileged position mediating information both sides want.
From this perspective, “Accomplish things through people” goes beyond simply using connections.
By connecting with people in different worlds from yours—people on the other side of structural holes—you can exploit information asymmetry.
Diversity matters more than intimacy. Strategic positioning matters more than connection strength.
The perspective of where to position yourself on the network is the essence of “Accomplish things through people” in modern times.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us to balance humility and strategy. Modern society has grown complex.
Handling everything alone is increasingly difficult. Specialized fields are subdividing, technology evolves daily, and information is overwhelming.
To produce results in this environment, you need the courage to recognize your limits and appropriately borrow others’ strength.
But this doesn’t mean simply leaving things to others. Who should you ask for what? How should you request cooperation? How should you show gratitude?
All of these are questioned as your own abilities. Accomplish things through people also means polishing your ability to build relationships, earn trust, and recognize others’ strengths.
Are you exhausted from trying too hard alone? Asking for help isn’t shameful.
Rather, being able to ask the right person for cooperation at the right time is proof of a mature adult.
Around you, there are surely people who will help. And you can also be someone’s strength.
Comments