Success in leadership is not born from intuition alone – it is cultivated through clarity, discipline, and the courage to evolve. True leaders do more than manage targets; they align purpose with progress and turn vision into measurable action. In a world shaped by rapid change and constant innovation, the best leaders are those who can transform challenges into learning opportunities and build cultures rooted in authenticity, trust, and growth.
Kazuyoshi Hisano, President and CEO of Conoway Inc., embodies this philosophy through his pioneering work in executive development. A graduate of the University of Tokyo and Tsukuba University MBA program, Hisano has built a distinguished career blending cognitive science with leadership coaching. As the creator of the Gold Vision Method and CEO Coaching, he has guided hundreds of executives and organizations toward high-performance cultures through structured, human-centered transformation. Renowned for his clarity and empathy in leadership, Hisano continues to champion the idea that authentic leadership begins with self-awareness and expands outward – to teams, to organizations, and to the world.
A Career Dedicated to Growth and Impact
Hisano’s professional journey is marked by a dedication to growth, innovation, and the empowerment of others. After graduating from university, Kazuyoshi Hisano launched his entrepreneurial career by managing two companies simultaneously, gaining valuable experience across diverse business fields. His expertise deepened as he took on management roles at leading multinational corporations, including finance and marketing positions at Tyco Electronics, business development and organization transformation at Philips, and leading sales operations at Bureau Veritas.
Hisano’s multifaceted career underscores his commitment to understanding business from every angle. Drawing on his MBA from Tsukuba University and advanced studies in cognitive science, he realized the transformative power of coaching. Motivated by the desire to help leaders unlock their potential, Hisano founded Conoway Inc. in December 2015, developing unique coaching methods such as CEO Coaching and the Gold Vision Method. Today, he supports a wide range of clients—from CEOs and senior managers to athletes and artists—by helping them discover their strengths and build high-performance cultures within their organizations.
Empowering Leadership Through Coaching and Science
Conoway Inc. is a comprehensive management support company specializing in consulting services with a core focus on coaching. The company is well-regarded for its expertise in fostering and establishing high-performance cultures within organizations by leveraging and developing the unique strengths of each member. Conoway incorporates advanced cognitive science into its coaching practice, popularizing its proprietary approaches such as the “CEO Coaching” and “Gold Vision Method.”
The company serves a diverse clientele ranging from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises, including executives, managers, and office staff. With a proven track record of coaching thousands of individuals both in groups and one-on-one, Conoway excels at helping organizations create environments where individual strengths contribute to collective success. Additionally, Kazuyoshi Hisano is the founder of Cognitive Corporate Coaching™ and collaborates with cognitive scientist Hideto Tomabechi on developing and promoting this innovative program.
CEO Coaching & Gold Vision at a Glance
CEO Coaching
- Exclusive coaching for CEOs and top executives
- Combines Gold Vision, Ichihyaku, and consulting
- Clarifies vision and purpose
- Builds leadership and high-performance culture
- Drives sustainable business growth
Gold Vision Method
- Defines heartfelt dreams (“Gold Vision”)
- Brain-focused goal-setting system (Ichihyaku)
- Aligns daily actions with vision
- Boosts motivation and decision-making
- Enables personal and organizational breakthroughs
Leading Through Employee Transitions
Kazuyoshi Hisano recognizes that one of the common challenges in any organization is when team members choose to leave for their own reasons. While building strong relationships makes such departures more difficult, he believes it is important to respect individual decisions. As a coach, Hisano focuses on supporting others to succeed on their own paths, understanding that personal growth sometimes requires change.
Though managing these transitions can be challenging, responding positively to team changes is crucial for maintaining a healthy and supportive environment for the remaining employees. Hisano emphasizes the importance of fostering resilience and positivity within the organization to uphold its overall well-being and performance.
Distinctive Approach to Executive Growth
Hisano expresses, “I genuinely love helping people grow, which comes naturally to me.” Unlike some coaches who may feel uneasy when clients make significant progress, he fully embraces their development. Additionally, Hisano has a strong ability to create structured frameworks based on his extensive experience and knowledge. He continuously develops, tests, and refines new coaching methods with himself, his team, and clients, making Conoway Inc.’s approach unique in the industry.
Books That Shape Coaching Excellence
Kazuyoshi Hisano has authored several books, published in both Japanese and English, that present his coaching methodologies, and these are available worldwide on Amazon. His books include:
- CEO Coaching: The Theory of Thinking and Action That Multiplies Annual Revenue by 100 – This book explains the differences between consultants and coaches, emphasizing that coaches teach clients how to solve problems independently, which is essential for leaders and organizations.
- Feed Forward: Developing Subordinates Who Consistently Deliver Results – This book introduces the concept of “Feed Forward,” a simple yet powerful technique that helps teams and individuals focus on future actions, leading to positive results such as improved teamwork, increased productivity, and higher sales.
- The Unconventional and Simple System That Makes Organizations Achieve Results – Based on cognitive science, this book discusses how understanding and effectively utilizing the mind and brain can significantly enhance organizational performance.
- The Gold Vision: Making the Future You Imagine a Reality – This book introduces a goal-setting method that combines insights from NASA, Coca-Cola, 3M, and Oracle, enabling individuals to realize their goals effortlessly by learning to use their brains effectively.
Featured Voice in Business and Innovation
Hisano has been featured in various prestigious media and publications that highlight his coaching philosophy and leadership insights. He was profiled in “The CEO Magazine” in an article titled “EYES ON THE HORIZON,” where he discussed the goals of his coaching practice.
Hisano also appeared in Nikkei’s executive interview video series “My Guidepost – Messages from Leaders to the Future of Japan,” where he shared what motivated him to become a coach and spoke about the coaching process and its importance.
Additionally, his book titled Feedforward: Developing Subordinates Who Always Deliver Results was recommended as a must-read business book by Gadget Tsushin, recognizing its practical approach to improving team performance (Gadget Tsushin).
His innovative work has also been featured internationally in Newsweek as part of the “Challenging Innovator” series (Newsweek). Hisano has contributed thoughtful articles to Gendai Business, addressing modern business challenges such as the limitations of the traditional PDCA cycle and culturally attuned communication methods for Japanese workplaces (Gendai Business – PDCA) and (Gendai Business – Feedback).
AI as a Key to Leadership Evolution
Kazuyoshi Hisano believes that “Leadership will evolve significantly with the rise of AI.” He notes that resistance to AI is decreasing, and those who embrace AI as a tool or collaborative partner will gain a significant advantage. According to Hisano, integrating AI as a partner in leadership will become a key differentiator for future leaders.
The Power of Empathy in Effective Leadership
Hisano’s biggest learning as a leader is summed up in his own words: “The most important lesson is that every individual is different.” He acknowledges that it is natural to view situations from one’s own perspective, but truly understanding the thoughts and feelings of others is often difficult. Hisano sees this challenge as an opportunity—whether he is dealing with team members, customers, or stakeholders.
He believes that effective leadership requires embracing and respecting these differences. By doing so, leaders can provide the right support and guidance needed to run a successful business. This approach highlights the importance of empathy and adaptability in leadership.
Building Businesses, Connecting Leaders
Hisano has assisted numerous clients in launching new businesses from scratch. Through continuous discussions and the application of his expertise, he helps evaluate ideas and develop viable ventures. While not every startup succeeds, many achieve significant success. Hisano finds great fulfillment in supporting clients as they build new businesses and accomplish their goals.
In addition to his coaching work, Hisano holds an executive director position within CorporateConnections, a prestigious business network headquartered in the United States. Hisano is one of the franchise owners, strengthening its network and support system in Japan. This partnership allows Hisano to expand its reach and foster even greater collaboration among business leaders across borders.
Open Letter to Upcoming Leaders
Dear Upcoming Leaders,
Aspiration is the fuel that drives meaningful change. Without dreams, nothing truly begins or transforms. I encourage you to dream big, to vividly imagine the future you want to create, and—most importantly—to believe deeply in yourself. These elements are not just ideals but essential foundations for anyone who wishes to make a lasting impact in their industry.
As you embark on your leadership journey, remember that your vision and confidence will guide you through challenges and opportunities alike. Embrace your dreams with conviction and let them inspire the actions that will shape your path forward. The future belongs to those who dare to dream boldly and act purposefully.
With sincere regards,
Kazuyoshi Hisano
5 Key Takeaways from Kazuyoshi Hisano’s Impact in Leadership and Growth
1. Leadership is Built on Science and Self-Awareness:
Kazuyoshi Hisano blends cognitive science with leadership coaching to cultivate success. He emphasizes that authentic leadership starts with self-awareness and clarity of purpose, rather than just intuition.
2. Proprietary Coaching for High Performance:
Through Conoway Inc., Hisano developed unique methods like CEO Coaching (for top executives) and the Gold Vision Method (for defining deeply felt goals, or “Gold Vision,” using a brain-focused system called Ichihyaku). These methods aim to align daily actions with a clear vision to drive measurable growth.
3. Empathy and Individuality are Critical for Leaders:
Hisano stresses that the biggest lesson in leadership is recognizing and respecting that “every individual is different.” Effective leaders must practice empathy and adaptability to provide the right support for team members, customers, and stakeholders.
4. Embracing AI is the Future of Leadership:
He believes that leadership is evolving and that future successful leaders will be those who embrace AI as a tool and collaborative partner, rather than resisting it.
5. Focus on Growth and Future Action (Feed Forward):
Hisano’s philosophy and books promote a focus on growth, encouraging leaders to teach clients how to solve problems independently. His technique, “Feed Forward,” helps teams focus on future actions instead of past failures to improve productivity and results.
