To recap my thoughts in previous posts, a strong Creative Class
is seen as key to sustaining a forward-leaning, innovative economy. Going hand in hand with this is workplaces
that embrace diversity and openness, are not opposed to self-expression,
promote individual recognition for hard work as well as resulting compensation (more
than a base pay) for doing what they are good at… and they work in a community
offering an engaging and even edgy lifestyle.
So where do I see disconnects between South Korea and
America?
For starters in America the old Fordism and Company Man
model at least for the creative class has shifted. Workers were once strongly
tied to the company, this relationship nicely summed up by Richard Florida,
“You were a company man, identifying with the company and often moving largely
in the circles created or dictated by it.”
Today, creatives value their unique social identity--one able to move
intact from firm to firm and well as assuming the risks and absorbing the
benefits companies once backed.
In contrast, rooted in Korean norms and collectivism, Korean
workers strongly identify with their company—perhaps more so within the major
Groups like Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and SK, as well as those working for a high
profile global brands in Korea like Nike.
These organizations tend to be highly traditional vertical (and
often horizontal) corporations— top-down management hierarchically flowing
workload down to teams (most often operating in silos) with the Taylorized
expectancy they follow routines and norms long established. In contrast, a creative work culture dies when
so regimented as Florida points out, “ like rote work in the old factory or
office.” A long hour chained to cubical
cranking out Point points is very different than a culture where ideas are
conceptualized inside one’s head in a cafĂ© over a latte or during a trail
run.
All said, one could argue Korea may not be wired for
fostering a sustainable creative culture.
What I do find as encouraging is many in Korea on a personal
level attracted to and appreciate counter-culture. There is an ever growing segment
is their society adopting a lifestyle more conducent to creativity. Much of this influence has been Koreans exposed
to the global art scene, the influence of expat non-Koreans, plus Koreans
embracing their own traditional artisan heritage. In some ways, this movement has taken on a
rather edgy Bohemian feel… one I find very cool.
Seoul LP Bars, the 60s and Dylan.
For example, Korean media reports there are a growing number
of “dives with DJs and extensive collections of LPs,” many located in ultra-hip
neighborhoods…. walls plastered with album covers from the likes of Pink Floyd,
Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King. The interiors shrines to Bob Dylan and Neil Young
and the cultural revolution of the 1960s.
One more thing,
I have a request for my friends both Korean and non-Korean
expats in Korea to share their observations, especially on the emerging
counter-culture.
I’ll also be pulling together some example of a budding
Korean counter-culture scene and what I see as roadmap for workplaces looking
to attract and groom creatives—not only for Korea, but also for their U.S.
and global operations.
Until next time…
or
No comments:
Post a Comment