TEACHING THE TEACHERS
Reversal of Roles
IN the post-WWII decades, Japan imported superior industrial technology from the West, at times by outright purchase, but more often by borrowing or on a credit basis. As a result, Japan today stands on its own feet economically and is in a position to export not only its manufactured goods but also its know-how to other countries.
According to an article written by Peter F. Drucker (published in Harvard Business Review, January 1981), the postwar success of Japanese economy is both an impressive and a puzzling achievement. He writes that the accomplishments of Japanese industry are the result of Japan’s having defined more ably than any other industrial nation some of the essential rules for managing complex organizations in the modern world. Owing to its advanced technical expertise, it is now in a position to help other countries, enter into friendly relations with them and draw up contracts to do business with them. Some of their feats include working on the latest irrigation projects in Thailand, giving instruction in computer programming in Singapore, constructing iron and steel factories in South Korea and China and setting up petrochemical industries in the Middle East, etc. The Japanese learnt iron and steel making from the Americans and have now developed it so extensively that they are at present exporting their skills to the Americans themselves. It has become the world leader in floating solar power. 73 of the world’s 100 largest floating solar plants are in Japan. Japan, once the learner, is now so well placed in so many fields, particularly in communication and electronics that America is seeking Japanese technical assistance in many of its important military departments. The students are now teaching their teachers.
All too often, we have to lose in order to gain. We have to resign ourselves to humble position until we can work ourselves up to more satisfactory heights. Those who recognize this necessity as one of the facts of life will have a better chance of succeeding in this world.
Japan willingly submitted to industrial tutelage for 20 years and, as a result, has attained the position of industrial dominance today. The Japanese were far too conscious of their dependence on imports for energy, raw materials, and food. If it had chosen not to recognize the supremacy of others at that crucial point in its development, and had felt too proud to go to them for help, it could never have had such resounding successes.
All too often, we have to lose in order to gain. We have to resign ourselves to humble position until we can work ourselves up to more satisfactory heights. Those who recognize this necessity as one of the facts of life will have a better chance of succeeding in this world. Those who expect to be able to climb straight to the top without first having accepted a position of humility, or who persist in blaming others for their failures have no chance of progress. Patience, fortitude, tenacity and realistic ambition are the virtues which will see us through to success.