1. The Rookie Spirit: Then and Now
In my late 60s, I became a rookie again—this time in blogging and AI.
Struggling with unfamiliar systems and obsessing over traffic numbers, I am constantly reminded of my early days at Samsung over 40 years ago. Back then, I handled overseas procurement for the U.S. and European markets—a role many avoided due to time zones and cultural gaps. But one phrase gave me the courage to jump in:
“Mistakes are a rookie’s privilege.”
That experience taught me something important: you learn by stepping into the field and solving problems as they arise.
2. The Crisis: When the Supply Chain Stopped
One particular incident remains vivid in my memory. Following a volcanic eruption near Anchorage, global air logistics were disrupted. To make matters worse, our main Swiss supplier, Feller, suddenly reported zero inventory for a critical component: the inlet socket.
A production shutdown was suddenly a real possibility. However, I had been quietly preparing for such a contingency. Working closely with the engineering department, I had already identified and vetted a secondary supplier: Schurter.
3. Bold Decisions Over Red Tape
I visited Schurter Korea immediately. Instead of showing desperation, I approached them calmly, framing the meeting as an exploration of “supplier diversification.”
The prospect of partnering with Samsung was a major opportunity for them, and they quickly offered their best terms. Normally, I would have waited for formal internal approval, but time was of the essence.
- I handed over the order sheet right there in the meeting room.
- I finalized the forwarding arrangements and flight schedules on the spot.
It wasn’t reckless confidence; it was preparation combined with responsibility.
4. A Rookie Working at a Manager’s Level
These experiences accelerated my growth. Soon, I was analyzing and resolving problems that even senior employees—those who had handled the same routines for years—struggled with. People joked that I was already working at a manager’s level.
Looking back, Samsung’s true strength was a culture of trust that allowed young employees to take ownership. It was there that I absorbed the famous philosophy of the late Chairman Chung Ju-yung:
“Have you even tried?”
5. Conclusion: Life is an Ongoing Field Trip
Today, my challenges with blogging, investing, and AI are no different from the inlet socket crisis of 40 years ago. Many in my generation find AI intimidating. To me, it is simply another tool for preserving experience and sharing it with the next generation.
Even now, I still feel like that rookie employee walking into unfamiliar territory with an order sheet in hand.
Over time, I’ve learned one simple truth:
Most things become possible once you actually try.
P.S. Years later, this exact “rookie spirit” and the philosophy of “Have you even tried?” became my ultimate guide when I had to reform a corrupted corporate culture as an education sales manager. [Read the next story here]