ANA HOLDINGS INC. Chairman Katanosaka Shinya (片野坂 真哉) held a farewell ceremony during which he took commemorative photos in pairs and gave them to 5 employees leaving the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, so they could take the photos to their new employers.
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, ANA made protecting employees’ jobs its top priority and implemented severe cost-cutting measures, including reductions in management compensation and wage cuts for all employees. Drawing on lessons from the past SARS and COVID-19 outbreaks, the company faced questions about what leadership should look like during a crisis.
The chairman first sent a video message to all employees saying, “We will protect jobs,” and announced the decision to cut wages by approximately 30% on average and eliminate bonuses. There was reportedly little opposition from the union, and many employees showed their understanding.
For employees who were leaving, the chairman arranged opportunities to meet them personally before their departure. He told the 5 departing employees, in pairs, “Take it to your new employer. It will be proof that you were valued at ANA,” then took commemorative photos with them and saw them off.
This action has been presented as one example of the kind of leadership that supports employees even in the midst of a crisis, and as a case illustrating the company’s crisis response and approach to its people.
This article examines ANA’s crisis response, focusing on Chairman Katanosaka Shinya’s (片野坂 真哉) view of leadership and the organization’s response during an emergency.