At one time, Japan was considered the world economy to compete with. Today, while it is still a world leader, it has struggled. A quote from The Essential Drucker caused me to pause and consider it may be because of the upwardly immobile.
When he wrote this, he realized Japan’s economy would have to change because lifetime employment made it nearly impossible for knowledge workers to move and adapt.
But it appears that hasn’t happened. Japan continues to struggle with deflation and stagnation. The failure to change has come at a great cost to the nation.
What made Japan a success for over fifty years has become a liability. When we cannot, or refuse to change, our past successes become a liability and burden.
Mobility is more than the freedom to move from Indiana to Florida or maybe even Arizona!
It is the willingness to change and try different things. The upwardly immobile is an oxymoron. No matter our age, let’s continue to be part of the upwardly mobile.
