Kaz Hirai discusses PlayStation autonomy and Sony leadership

Former Sony executive Kaz Hirai revealed that during his tenure as president of Sony Computer Entertainment, he frequently disregarded directives from Sony headquarters to maintain the autonomy of the PlayStation division. He recalled telling executives that headquarters' instructions were irrelevant to the PlayStation business.

Upon becoming CEO of Sony in 2012, Hirai faced a company operating in the red and significant skepticism from shareholders and staff regarding his leadership capabilities. To rebuild trust and unify the organization, he focused on personal engagement, visiting dozens of cities across more than 20 countries. He also implemented the ‘KANDO’ strategy, which aimed to align various divisions by focusing on creating products and experiences designed to emotionally move customers.