Expert Views
A message for the younger generation…
First Published in Japanese in November 2023 [4 parts]
All our panelists agree that to become your best self, in addition to putting in your own hard work, the understanding and cooperation of your family and colleagues is vital. In the final part of this article, these inspirational women provide advice and words of wisdom about how women can reach their full potential at work, based on their own experience. We finish our discussion with a heartfelt message from each of these senior figures to their younger colleagues.
- Nakamura
- As you have all said, I would like male managers to listen to what women have to say. Once, when a female employee returned to work after maternity leave, her direct supervisor said to me “it must be hard for her coming back to work, so I’m thinking of giving her a light workload, what do you think?” Without hesitation, I replied “No, that’s no good. Please ask her what she wants.”
- Ohta
- Did he listen to you?
- Nakamura
- Yes, and just as I expected, she replied “please let me do a job with the same responsibility as before.” Of course, some women might be grateful to be given a lighter workload. What’s important is to confirm what the employee herself wants. I would like managers to be mindful and considerate of each person’s individual situation.
- Takeuchi
- I was assigned to a completely different department after my maternity leave and found it really frustrating. So, I thought “If there’s no career for me at this company, I’ll make my own career.” As a result, I decided to get a PhD and become a university professor. But as soon as I got my PhD, I was promoted to a managerial position, which resulted in a wider scope of responsibility. This made my job twice as enjoyable and has brought me to where I am now. The higher up you go, the further you can see, and the more interesting the world becomes. That’s why I would like women to have high career aspirations, too.
- Nakamura
- Although we are gradually seeing more women in management positions, it seems many women feel afraid of being given responsibility. You all have many years of experience in management positions. What do you think about this?
- Takeuchi
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The higher your position, the more people you will have working under you, so you can divide the workload within the team to move things forward. The same goes for time flexibility. In some ways, the wider the scope of your own responsibility, the easier your job becomes. Being promoted is proof that the company has high expectations of you, so you should grasp every opportunity with both hands. If you give it a try and find it too difficult, you can just be honest with your superiors and say, “I’m sorry, it was not right for me, after all.” From there, you can try again to find the right career path for you.
You might sometimes feel daunted by the weight of having responsibilities, but work is never the responsibility of an individual; it is the responsibility of the organization. So, rather than trying to solve everything alone, you should use the power of the whole organization to overcome any issues.
- Mizowaki
- When I became the company president, I was afraid and felt the weight of responsibility too, but now I am glad I accepted the position. It has allowed me to meet many wonderful people, and to share those experiences with you all today. The lessons learned through such encounters are an invaluable asset to me.
- Nakamura
- The proportion of female managers in the FA industry is still very low, so I hope women will take opportunities that come their way.
- Ohta
- I believe there are opportunities for women in this industry. Through our perspective, we can offer a unique point of view, helping the development of new products or the drive to make bold changes.
- Mizowaki
- Another benefit is that being a minority means business partners are more likely to remember your name and your face.
- Takeuchi
- Perhaps this means that while it may be challenging for women to enter the FA industry, once inside, it is easier to advance in their career.
- Nakamura
- I agree. Finally, I would like to ask each of you for a message for our younger colleagues.
- Mizowaki
- My message to young people is to do your best at the job you have, no matter what situation you find yourself in. Since I took over as company president seven years ago, I have been working relentlessly, to achieve the goals that are lying ahead. Don’t give up.
- Ohta
- Most people never get to see behind the scenes of the manufacturing process, so perhaps factory automation is the “unsung hero” of the manufacturing world. But FA underpins everything. It’s exciting to think that the fruits of our work are everywhere. Please do your best, and take pride in what you do!
- Takeuchi
- Picture yourself one year from now, three years from now, or even ten years from now, then do your best to achieve that goal. It’s ok to say, “I want to be still doing this job in ten years’ time” or to want to do something else. Even if it’s just a small goal, picture your best self, set goals, and work towards them. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t achieve them though – as they may change over time! You have your whole life ahead of you.
──The conclusion from this round-table discussion is “women in the FA industry today are very fortunate.” Thanks to changes in legislation, social trends, and attitudes towards gender, it is undoubtably far easier to work in this industry than it was twenty or thirty years ago. The panelists showed a resolute attitude of working diligently and taking on challenges as an individual, rather than relying on the mindset of “because she’s a woman” or “because he’s a man.”
Among the younger generations, fewer people hold a gender defined mindset. We are entering an era when each individual is judged on their own merits. Women should not feel daunted about being a minority in this industry and should leverage their own unique strengths. The panelists here embody the supportive nature of senior colleagues who are helping individuals be their best self. With consideration and a sense of gratitude towards your colleagues and families, please set your sights high!
This article is based on a round-table discussion that took place in August 2023.