My Japanese Boss

Overwhelming!

I believe that is the best adjective to describe my job now as Production Control Senior Supervisor. Sometimes, I still can’t believe the fast change and increment of my position in a Japanese Company(PCP) especially when I look back how I started.It was January, 2002 then when I pass my resume' in a Japanese company in one of the Economic Zones in Calamba. I was called for an interview 1 week later. It was a panel interview. The interviewers were 1 Manufacturing Japanese manager, 1 Filipino Manufacturing Supervisor and 1 Filipino Human Resource Manager. There were 5 interviewees but only one of us will be hired. It was actually a short interview. Of course I was hired. In one of my blog I will share with you what happened during that that made the panel interviewers decide to choose me which my Japanese finally revealed after 1 month os working with him.
It was February then when I became a member of PCP family as Material Control Engineer. A skinny, hopeful, fresh graduate who doesn’t have any idea as to what a material control engineer does. I was nervous when I found out that I’ll be using excel sheet in almost all reports; a computer application which I have no idea how to use it. I was also scared then for I know that I’ll be paid but I don’t know how to work for it.My first few months’ of working in PCP was truly frustrating. I just can’t get my reports right. If it isn’t the format, the font, the boarder, or the alignment and much worst my formula isn’t correct. Everyday I received endless reprimands and worst, I received comparison between me and other staff from my Japanese Boss. It was really foul comparing you and telling shamelessly how bad your performance is compared to others. Well, I wasn’t a robot; those spiteful words thrown at me hurts so badly. I’ve wanted to learn immediately everything that needs to be learned but this is not school. There are no books to study. The company has just started too, thus, there are no references. There isn’t no way to learn but through his own way; “The trial and error method”. The daily scolding continues until when I reached the month when I said to my self that I couldn’t continue anymore. My self esteem has reached its lowest level; however, I was never a looser too. I cannot resign and let everybody continue to think that I am as dumb as a fish. I said then to myself that it’s about time to fight back. I believed that I’ve learned the basic knowledge which is enough to survive and be recognized. The daily reprimand has lessened and then finally, my efforts were recognized. I have learned to stand on what I believe is right. I ignored whatever insults that I received for fighting for what I believe in. I have learned to motivate myself and convince myself that everything will turn out right.Those were the days when I truly hated for all the embarrassment that he has caused me. However, since I decided to stay and prove my worth, I tried to keep my pace with him. With every discussion/argument, I tried to learn from it. I had to keep on the positive lane if I wanted to keep working with him. It wasn’t easy. I worked hard and in every step of the way, there were always comments. It was never enough. There were always a lot to be learned. He was a perfectionist. In every potential that he see in a person, he takes advantage. He kept on pushing and dragging me to move forward. There are times that I thought that I can’t go on anymore but then after crying out the fatigue that I felt, I kept moving with him. There are times that the difficulty becomes too much to bear, pressure increases by ten folds, but I still went on and fortunately still comes out a stronger, wiser, and more learned person. I strongly feel that working with him is a constant training. There is always a goal to accomplish and achieving it is the most important. No matter how much effort or time you have exerted if you weren’t able to give the expected result, it is as good as you have done nothing. As a result oriented boss, 99% and 101% is still not achieved. Challenge is constant when working with him.
Moreover, as I worked with him I tried to know him as a person. What make’s him tick and what make’s him growl like an animal. As my capability improves; my working relationship with him also becomes better. I have learned a lot. I have learned as well to appreciate him as my Boss, my Mentor, my Icon, my Leader, my Advocate, my Partner my Confidant, my Friend….It has not always been easy. It was not without pain sometimes but I still do take great pride in working with him and proud for what we have accomplished together. Now that his time to say goodbye has come, I cannot just let him go away without once again saying thanks to him…. Without saying to him: “Thank you Sir…I’ll do my best to become a better and successful individual so that when our path cross again, you’ll be more proud…Sir, you have made a mark in my life no one can ever erase; the wonderful memories will always remain in my heart…. ”.