Good debate and good business

LG has started hiring for debate skills according to its CEO Nam Yong.

I met one of my good friends when I was a judge at a debate contest in Tokyo.

Debate contest....what is that?

That was the idea of Matsumoto, Michihiro who was a TV commentator and avid fan of America.  It was his belief that the success of American business comes from our ability to argue with each other, in a business setting, without losing our civility or our friendship.  He believed that vigorous confrontation of ideas was the best way to develop new ideas and new solutions. Japanese never argue.  Never, without losing a friend.  So Matsumoto san was trying to teach the Japanese how to argue peacefully.

I agree with him and his analysis.  We Americans either overlook this positive quality of ours or deny its importance.

What brings up the issue is that a South Korean corporate giant, LG has started hiring foreigners into top management with the intention of provoking open debate.  Here is the article in Businessweek.