2025.05.22
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"Our Future," revealed through discussion of Our Values - Dialogues held across workplaces worldwide
Mitsubishi Materials Group has established "Our Commitment" for 2030 as "For people, society and the earth, circulating resources for a sustainable future."
The key to fulfilling Our Commitment lies in the actions of each member. The Mitsubishi Materials Group's “Our Values,” which were renewed in August 2024, namely "Challenge," "Change," "Growth," "Praise and Appreciation," and "A Better Tomorrow," can only be realized when they are practiced in daily work.
However, if you are suddenly told to "practice Our Values," it can be difficult to understand their meaning. That is why we are promoting their penetration by starting with open discussions. Since October 2024, we have been holding "Our Values Workshops" at our bases around the world, expanding opportunities for dialogue that connect individual actions with Our Values.
Our Values cannot be put into practice simply by being set forth. Through open conversations and repeated discussions, Our Values can take root as "guiding principles." The workshops provide an important place to create such opportunities.
The key to fulfilling Our Commitment lies in the actions of each member. The Mitsubishi Materials Group's “Our Values,” which were renewed in August 2024, namely "Challenge," "Change," "Growth," "Praise and Appreciation," and "A Better Tomorrow," can only be realized when they are practiced in daily work.
However, if you are suddenly told to "practice Our Values," it can be difficult to understand their meaning. That is why we are promoting their penetration by starting with open discussions. Since October 2024, we have been holding "Our Values Workshops" at our bases around the world, expanding opportunities for dialogue that connect individual actions with Our Values.
Our Values cannot be put into practice simply by being set forth. Through open conversations and repeated discussions, Our Values can take root as "guiding principles." The workshops provide an important place to create such opportunities.
Discussing "Our Values" through daily work
The workshop was designed as a participatory format centered on dialogue rather than a one-way lecture. Participants first looked back on their daily work and asked themselves questions such as, "Are my current actions in line with Our Values?" and "What kind of actions should I aim to take from now on?"
After this reflection, participants shared their thoughts and experiences with their coworkers and listened to what others had to say, discovering insights they had not noticed before and learning about diverse interpretations of Our Values. They also highlighted their most memorable opinions and realizations, which deepened their understanding of what actions are important for the team as a whole.
After this reflection, participants shared their thoughts and experiences with their coworkers and listened to what others had to say, discovering insights they had not noticed before and learning about diverse interpretations of Our Values. They also highlighted their most memorable opinions and realizations, which deepened their understanding of what actions are important for the team as a whole.
During the workshop, as the participants engaged in dialogue, tensions began to ease, and a wide range of thoughts and opinions began to flow.
"That's what you were thinking" - Understanding colleagues through conversation
We interviewed members of the Production Department at Mitsubishi Materials Sanda Plant (Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture), which manufactures materials and precision silicon products for semiconductor equipment. During the interviews, we explored what the team has observed in the workshop.
Participants described their surprise upon hearing their colleagues’ presentations: "I usually don't interact much with some of my colleagues, and I haven’t had much opportunity to get to know their individual thoughts until now. At the workshop, I was consistently amazed by how deeply they think about things."
One member shared, "Understanding what my colleagues are trying to take on made me want to cheer them on and support their challenges."
Another participant remarked, "I was able to hear my colleagues' thoughts at the workshop and gain a deeper understanding of what they usually think and what aspects of their work they care deeply about."
Through the workshop, a sense of connection and deeper understanding naturally began to take root among colleagues.
Participants described their surprise upon hearing their colleagues’ presentations: "I usually don't interact much with some of my colleagues, and I haven’t had much opportunity to get to know their individual thoughts until now. At the workshop, I was consistently amazed by how deeply they think about things."
One member shared, "Understanding what my colleagues are trying to take on made me want to cheer them on and support their challenges."
Another participant remarked, "I was able to hear my colleagues' thoughts at the workshop and gain a deeper understanding of what they usually think and what aspects of their work they care deeply about."
Through the workshop, a sense of connection and deeper understanding naturally began to take root among colleagues.
Commemorative photo taken after the workshop (members of the Technical Group 1, Production Department, Sanda Plant)
We also heard people say that the word "Our Values" has become more familiar to them than before.
One participant said, "Before the workshop, I self-evaluated how well I was putting Our Values into practice and thought about what I would do from today onwards. This greatly deepened my understanding of Our Values," and she said she developed an awareness of the importance of putting these values into practice.
Another member spoke of a positive change: "Now I understand what my superiors think and what they expect from me, and I have a stronger desire to respond to those expectations."
At the end of the workshop, each participant thought about what step they could take towards Our Commitment.
As a result, some participants commented that "We need to start by changing our 'awareness,'" expressing a desire to focus on areas for improvement that have become less visible as they gained experience. Others shared insights such as, "Knowing other people's values will change the way I communicate with them in the workplace moving forward," and "I believe that the small goals I have set for myself are connected to Our Commitment, and I want to put them into practice, starting with what I can do." It seems that they sensed new possibilities for teamwork.
One member who served as the workshop facilitator commented enthusiastically, "I want to continue supporting each member to pursue their goals and foster a workplace culture where we all support one another."
One participant said, "Before the workshop, I self-evaluated how well I was putting Our Values into practice and thought about what I would do from today onwards. This greatly deepened my understanding of Our Values," and she said she developed an awareness of the importance of putting these values into practice.
Another member spoke of a positive change: "Now I understand what my superiors think and what they expect from me, and I have a stronger desire to respond to those expectations."
At the end of the workshop, each participant thought about what step they could take towards Our Commitment.
As a result, some participants commented that "We need to start by changing our 'awareness,'" expressing a desire to focus on areas for improvement that have become less visible as they gained experience. Others shared insights such as, "Knowing other people's values will change the way I communicate with them in the workplace moving forward," and "I believe that the small goals I have set for myself are connected to Our Commitment, and I want to put them into practice, starting with what I can do." It seems that they sensed new possibilities for teamwork.
One member who served as the workshop facilitator commented enthusiastically, "I want to continue supporting each member to pursue their goals and foster a workplace culture where we all support one another."
Turning Our Values into "living guidelines" - future initiatives
The workshop marks just the beginning of our journey. At Mitsubishi Materials Group, we are committed to implementing various initiatives to ensure that Our Values are firmly rooted in our daily work.
For instance, we plan to establish regular dialogue within each division and share practical examples of daily work on the group's communication site. We will also work to develop a system in which behavior based on Our Values is evaluated and praised, creating an environment where employees can naturally embody them.
This initiative, which began with the first step of "talking about Our Values," will change the behavior of each member, change the culture of the organization, and ultimately lead to the realization of Our Commitment.
For instance, we plan to establish regular dialogue within each division and share practical examples of daily work on the group's communication site. We will also work to develop a system in which behavior based on Our Values is evaluated and praised, creating an environment where employees can naturally embody them.
This initiative, which began with the first step of "talking about Our Values," will change the behavior of each member, change the culture of the organization, and ultimately lead to the realization of Our Commitment.
