Diamond Mining

Did you ever have something you were proud of go unappreciated? Did you ever feel that your job wasn’t the right fit for you?

I experienced both many times. Until, that is, my Japanese mentor offered me some words that changed my life.

In 2004, I was working in the overseas division of a Japanese car parts company. We were focused on opening new stores outside Japan. Much of the work involved managing data in Excel spreadsheets.

I did my best but, after a while, I began to lose interest in the job. I started to make mistakes, which upset my boss. So I looked for a more creative, enjoyable outlet for my skills and designed a monthly newsletter to help the overseas staff better understand Japanese culture.

While I was putting together a Powerpoint presentation one evening, my colleague, Hiroshi, approached my desk.

“Philippe, you are too creative,” he said. “Nobody asks you to do all this. There’s no need to use Powerpoint. Excel is sufficient.”

I couldn’t believe what I had heard. “You are too creative.” Those four words affected my motivation for months. I felt underappreciated.

One day, my mentor, a man by the name of Shigehisa Debari, noticed my forlorn face. “Philippe,” he said. “Let’s get a coffee.”

I told him how I had lost all motivation and confidence. “I’m useless here,” I said.

He smiled and replied, “Philippe, you should understand that you are a diamond to us—an unpolished diamond, but still a diamond.”

I was taken aback. I couldn’t fully grasp the meaning of his words, but they stuck with me. I finally felt noticed.

I imagined a huge, sparkling diamond in my chest and started to believe in myself again. I decided to pursue what I enjoyed and what I saw as my strengths.

Since the age of 15, I had been studying personal development. I decided to design a workshop about the company’s mission and vision for the managers in the Singapore office. Two months later, I flew to Singapore to run my first workshop.

While explaining the importance of the company’s mission during one session, I realized that I wanted to focus my life on coaching people. Remembering Debari-san’s words of encouragement, I could see clearly how I should use my talents, my inner diamond.

Thirteen years later, I use my diamond every day when coaching, training or giving talks. I now help others find their own diamond and help them shine in business and life.

Our talents are those endowments we use happily and effortlessly. The problem is we often don’t know how to truly value them.

I feel blessed to have met Debari-san. His words transformed my life. If your talents aren’t clear to you, ask someone you trust to help you unearth your diamond inside.

Words: Philippe Grall
Illustration: Tania Vicedo