This series explores topics surrounding women who began their careers in Japan around the time of the implementation of equal opportunities employment legislation in the mid-1980s. With many now reaching the age of retirement, it is hoped their stories can provide insight and lessons for women in Japan¡¯s professional world today.
While myriad factors impact our career success over time, two inner ingredients stand out as essential: a sense of calling ¡ª a compelling passion that drives a person toward a certain pursuit ¡ª and excellence, or how good you are at it. In the end, you need both to thrive, but one can supersede the other: you may be either calling-driven or excellence-driven.
While the former formula may be more intuitively understood ¡ª as a Japanese proverb attests, ¡°whatever you love, you will eventually excel at¡± ¡ª there are less-obvious examples where a drive for excellence, keeping your head down and grinding for perfection eventually pay off equally handsomely.
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