Lately, I've been reflecting on three topics. First is the story of Juliet Wu Shihong (吴士宏). Second, a request from an alumnus of the Tianjin Foreign Languages School from the 1970s to write about memories of the old days. Third, some intriguing research on the Tetris effect. While I may not cover all three today, I'll start with Juliet Wu's story.
Juliet Wu Shihong (born 1957) is an outstanding and remarkable figure, belonging to China’s first generation of top-tier professional managers in 1990s. Despite having no social or family background, nor any formal education, she climbed from humble beginnings as a cleaner and nurse to the position of CEO through sheer determination, self-education, and on-the-job learning.
In 1985, she taught herself English and earned a college degree. She joined IBM through a service company for foreign enterprises, starting with tasks as trivial as serving tea, cleaning, and doing clerical work. Over the course of a decade, she rose from IBM South China regional marketing manager to the general manager of IBM's South China branch. By 1997, she had become the General Manager of IBM China's sales branches, and in February 1998, she joined Microsoft as the General Manager of Microsoft China.
In 1999, she wrote and published an autobiography titled 《逆风飞飏》 (Nì fēng fēi yáng) or "Flying Against the Wind." The title reflects her unyielding and indomitable spirit in the face of immense challenges and adversity.
The book was a bestseller in China. When journalists asked her, "What was the primary driver of your success?" Wu replied honestly, "Poverty. It all started with a desire to escape poverty and achieve financial independence. I was scared of being poor, and I was also insecure."
Now approaching age 70, single and childless, Wu was asked by a journalist about her decision to break up with a boyfriend nearly 40 years ago who wanted her to move to America and become a full-time housewife. She reflected, "I don't regret giving up love for my career, but I do regret not having children."
Wu has been an idol for many successful people today, but I can't help comparing the differences between successful females of her time and those of today.
The first notable difference is in their motivations. Wu grew up in poverty, so her primary incentive was to escape it. For her, success was often synonymous with hard work and sacrifice, sometimes at the expense of personal and family life.
In contrast, today's young people often view success as a balance between career and personal life. Or they want success in order to enjoy family life. Society now places greater emphasis on work-life balance, mental health, and family well-being. This shift reflects broader societal changes, where success is not solely measured by career achievements but also by the ability to maintain fulfilling personal relationships and happy family.
Additionally, after four decades of reforms in China, the country is seeing greater affluence and stability. With more resources, support systems, and social acceptance, successful women today often do not have to choose between career and family. They can afford to have both, aided by advances in technology, childcare options, and a more flexible work environment.
In conclusion, the differences between successful women in the 1990s and today can largely be attributed to shifts in societal values, improved economic conditions, and evolving cultural norms. While Wu's generation often had to choose between career success and family life, today’s women benefit from a more supportive environment that allows them to lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.