I
finished my MBA program with a trip to Korea to study the business environment
and what I got was a valuable cultural experience. In 1953 as a result of the devastation caused
by the Korean War the city of Seoul was described as unrecognizable, yet today
it is one of the world’s largest cities.
Korea’s 50 million people make them the 25th largest country in the world
while their GDP is ranked 15th. For a 60
year old economy this achievement can be described as nothing short of a
miracle and that is what is written on the walls in the lobbies of some of
their largest businesses. The question
I kept asking myself was how Korea
achieved such success.
On a visit to Hyundai Motors corporate headquarters I
got my answer. Our tour guide, a 20 year
employee of Hyundai, when asked the driver (no pun intended) of their success
responded with a single word-sacrifice.
He was part of the second generation of postwar Koreans and for that
generation failure was not an option. This persevering mentality is reminiscent of Henry Ford who once said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't-you're right."
Unlike the United States Korea’s civil war
ended in a tie and left the country divided and its people to the South with a
relenting sense of responsibility to succeed.
Fear of failure can be a powerful motivator and the first generation
instilled this mentality in their children. In two generations Korea managed to
overachieve in rebuilding their country and economy. This is an admirable accomplishment and Koreans
should be proud, but what did this sacrifice cost the country. The birthrate is dangerously low in Korea as
a result of a lack of a healthy work-life balance past down from generation
to generation and there are few jobs for the educated third generation of postwar
Koreans now trying to enter the workforce.
Korea’s latest generation will find their way like
their forefathers. I just hope they
don’t have to figure it out the hard way.
I am sure they will come to realize the way to prosperity will be to
find the humility of previous generations and disregard the vanity of a prideful
world. The young Korean students I met
on my trip are worthy of great accomplishment and leading their country into a
future of continued prosperity. I wish my new friends the best on their journey.
cmgartner
Good read
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