Kunio Hara on Building a Global Movement of Praise-Based Growth

From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact

When Kunio Hara walks into a room, he carries more than the title of CEO of Spiral Up Co., Ltd. or Representative Director of the Ho-Me-I-Ku Foundation. He carries a mission.

His work has already touched the lives of over 1 million people in 20 countries, shaped the cultures of more than 700 companies, and inspired readers through 34 published books translated into multiple languages.

His career has taken him to the stages of the World Education Summit, into the pages of Forbes.com, and onto Japanese prime-time television, yet his philosophy remains simple:

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

In an era where leadership is often defined by critique, Hara is pioneering a management revolution rooted in something deceptively powerful: praise.

The Spark That Lit the Journey

For Hara, the inspiration for Ho-Me-I-Ku wasn’t born in a boardroom, but in his own childhood.

“I was raised by parents who praised me often during my childhood,” he recalls. “However, once I entered society, I found that praise was almost nonexistent. Criticism was the norm, and I came to believe that was natural.”

That realization sparked his journey. Over time, Hara saw how sincere praise unlocked potential in people around him, leading to measurable growth in both relationships and performance.

Spotting the Gap in a Sea of Management Theories

Hara recognized a gap in workplaces:

• Countless management books existed, but few were practiced effectively.

• Many organizations were dominated by reprimands, leading to disengagement.

Ho-Me-I-Ku was designed to fill this void: a practical, praise-based framework rooted in behavioral science and data, systematically applied, measured, and replicated.

Building Trust Without Proof

In the early days, executives demanded evidence—but Hara had none, only conviction.

“The lack of case studies and proven results was a major challenge,” he admits.

His persistence paid off when the first company to adopt Ho-Me-I-Ku saw a dramatic boost in performance. Word spread, and documented case studies transformed skepticism into trust.

Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers

Taking Ho-Me-I-Ku global was the next challenge.

Hara traveled to the U.S. more than 40 times to conduct seminars. The method proved just as effective across diverse cultural contexts, leading to invitations from the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and global media platforms.

This was proof that the philosophy of praise was universal.

The Vision Ahead: A Global Code of Praise

Today, Ho-Me-I-Ku thrives in Japan, but Hara’s vision is global.

His 5-year plan includes:

• Expanding into the U.S., Switzerland, and India

• Launching e-learning programs to reach all 196 countries

• Creating Disney-style attractions where people can experience praise-based growth

• Reinvesting profits into children’s education worldwide

“We were born to be praised, and we exist to praise each other.”

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• Persistence Beats Skepticism – Stick with your conviction until results prove you right.

• Root Innovation in Humanity – True impact starts with timeless human truths.

• Think Beyond Borders Early – Test your ideas globally from the start.

• Tie Profit to Purpose – Build systems that uplift both businesses and communities.

As Hara puts it:

“This way of thinking had never existed before. We established a new management model that can be applied across all sectors.”

A Global Movement, One Praise at a Time

Kunio Hara’s journey proves disruption doesn’t always come from technology—it can come from rethinking human interaction. By reframing praise as a strategic management tool, he has built not just a company but a global movement.

His story is a call to leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs: don’t underestimate the power of encouragement. Sometimes, unlocking potential is as simple as saying, “Well done.”

Connect with Kunio Hara

• LinkedIn: Kunio Hara

Take the first step in transforming your leadership style. Explore Ho-Me-I-Ku, and discover how praise can unlock true potential in your team and beyond.