My Way of Life and Thinking
Konosuke Matsushita, the visionary behind Panasonic, pulls back the curtain on his rags-to-riches journey and timeless business wisdom in *My Way of Life and Thinking*. Born into a struggling Japanese farming family, he left home at 9 to work as an apprentice—polishing firepots, fixing bicycles, and learning hard lessons in grit and customer care. After a failed early attempt at making light sockets, he founded Panasonic in 1918, turning a tiny workshop into a global empire. This memoir details his iconic 'Tap Water Philosophy' (making essential goods affordable for all), his refusal to lay off employees during the Great Depression, navigating wartime production shifts, and leading Panasonic’s post-WWII revival and global expansion. Beyond business, Matsushita shares his thoughts on leadership, employee trust, and corporate social responsibility, including his creation of the PHP Institute to foster peace and prosperity. It’s a raw, inspiring account of how resilience, integrity, and a focus on serving others can turn adversity into success.