Shikaru ≠ Scold

Taiichi Ohno said someone was “scolded.”

You’ll probably see a sentence like this in many publications. The Japanese word behind "scold” is “Sikaru.” 【叱る】 While I agree that Ohno might have spoken with some emotion, is it fair to translate “Sikaru” as “scold”?

When I check the dictionary meaning of 'Scold,' it usually means:

- To find fault noisily or angrily

- To argue loudly

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Scold. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scold

I see that it’s a very negative word.

Looking up “Shikaru” 【叱る】, the explanation is:

“Someone senior condemns or reproves a subordinate for wrong points or mistakes with a strong tone.”

コトバンク. (n.d.). 叱る. In kotobank.jp dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://kotobank.jp/word/叱る-2045125#goog_rewarded

Here, “Sikaru” carries nuances related to “coaching.” So, “reprove” might be a better tone than “scold.”

In Japan, there’s a classic debate about the difference between “Ikaru = Anger” 【怒る】 and “Sikaru.”

“Ikaru” stems from selfish emotion. In contrast, "Sikaru” is other-oriented. For example, when my kids try to cross the road without stopping, I choose to practice “Sikaru,” not “Ikaru.” When it’s a matter of life and death, I can’t let that message seem insignificant. The comparison between “Shikaru” and “Ikaru” is a current topic in Japanese education. We need to “Shikaru” without getting angry.

This character, Shikaru 【叱】, has a mouth on the right and a mark of cuts on the left. But this wasn’t the original symbol. There was an older symbol 【呵】 that included 【可】, which means good. In the past, it was more positive, but it became more negative over time. It wasn’t meant to hurt someone but to promote something good in someone.

Of course, if someone interprets your action as “scold,” that’s already a mistake today. There’s no excuse for such behavior. We must be careful how we communicate.

1️⃣ Environment

Ohno’s “scold” occurred in Japan, where job protection is strong. Nobody was fired after this.

2️⃣ Keep calm

Even if the message is important, stay calm—there's no need to speak aggressively.

3️⃣ Focus on one issue

Don’t pile up many issues at once. No one can understand everything at once. Instead, give immediate, one-by-one feedback when something goes wrong.

4️⃣ Follow up

Don’t end the conversation with harsh words. Always follow up on actions.

Scolding isn’t justified. We must control our emotions when we speak. We need to stay passionate about the topic and coaching. Improving coaching skills without losing seriousness is an ongoing challenge.