Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

Businessman:
Most businesses are hierarchical in nature, with an executive or
executive council at the top, various layers of management in the
middle, and ordinary employees at the bottom. This structure, which
varies considerably with the size and scope of the organization, is
designed to balance accountability with the need to make and enact
decisions quickly. While there are thousands of entry level positions
at the bottom of the pyramid available for those of us who are
starting out our careers, the number of job openings diminishes
quickly the higher up we go. There are only a handful of executive
openings at any given point in time in any given industry.
Consequently, to have the most opportunities for career growth we
may need to be indifferent to where we live, at least if climbing the
corporate ladder as quickly as possible is what we have in mind for
success.
Yes, we may need to move around from time to time, but we must do
so thoughtfully. All jobs are not created equal. Take the right position
at the wrong company and we face a cultural clash that will make us
regret it… and force us to quickly move on to other things. For
example, former CEO of Continental Airlines Gordon Bethune pulled
his ailing airline company out of bankruptcy and made a remarkable
turnaround. Under his leadership Continental went from being
ranked at the bottom of every measurable performance category to
winning more J.D. Power & Associates awards for customer
satisfaction than any other airline in the world. At Continental
Bethune was a rock star by any measure, but he did not have nearly
the same legacy during the six years that he worked at The Boeing
Company.
Bethune was responsible for the aerospace giant’s Renton factory
that produced their “narrow aisle” 737 and 757 airplane models.
Despite being a licensed commercial pilot, FAA-certified airframe
and power plant mechanic, and airline industry expert, all factors that
at face value should have meant a perfect fit, he felt stymied in that

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position. In fact, he told reporters that he was “tired of the
bureaucracy” when asked why he left to take a new job at
Continental. We all must heed this lesson. Before accepting any job
it is prudent to clearly understand the corporate culture, what we are
being asked to do, how success will be measured, and what support
we can count on. In this fashion we have a better chance of knowing
that the opportunity is a good match for our knowledge, skills, and
abilities and that the bureaucracy will allows us to succeed before
taking any new job.
Locations matter too. For example, a position that pays $150,000 a
year in Charleston, South Carolina has far better remuneration than
an identical one with the same salary anywhere in Silicon Valley, the
high-tech center located in the southern portion of the San Francisco
Bay Area in the state of California. Relative buying power between
the two areas couldn’t be farther apart. In fact, as of 2013 median
salaries were roughly 3.2 times higher in San Francisco than they
were in Charleston. Tax rates, buying power, and job opportunities all
differ dramatically by where we live. And, let’s face it, there’s a
tremendous difference in culture between the Southern United
States and the West Coast, one that not everyone can comfortably
adapt or transition to.
Where we live determines who we meet, what we can and cannot
do, and a host of other lifestyle factors that merit consideration
beyond the job. We may be in the office 10 to 12 hours a day in
many cases, but there’s more to life than working. For example, I
love Anchorage, Alaska. I have several relatives who live there and
it’s one of my favorite places in the world to visit. Despite a multitude
of creatures that might want to gore or eat me, the fishing, hunting,
boating, and outdoor life simply cannot be beat… for about two thirds
of the year. The rest of the time it’s dark, cold, and nasty. Folks who
live there may not get their vehicles started without a block heater
and simply driving to the store for a carton of milk can be hazardous
to their health since they’re often doing it in the dark in the middle of
a snowstorm while traversing sheets of compact snow and ice. If you
can’t handle several months at a time with virtually no daylight and

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frigid temperatures, Anchorage in wintertime is not a very good place
to be.
So, should we be indifferent to where we live as Musashi instructs?
That really depends on our priorities. If career success tops the list
and we find the perfect opportunity then we must be willing to move
around despite any discomfort with the geography, weather, or
culture we encounter in the new location. However, if other factors
are important to us then we may need to hurt our heads a bit more
before deciding whether or not to take the job.
Some factors to consider should include the relative cost of living,
stability of employment at the new company/location, alternate
employers in the area in case we get it wrong, the price of
comparable housing, reimbursement for moving expenses, traffic
and commute times, accessibility to friends and family, availability of
quality healthcare, recreational opportunities, and weather conditions
to name a few. If we have young children then availability of
reputable daycare, the quality of nearby schools, and the impact on
our family will likely play a significant role in our decision too. And, of
course, there’s the inconvenience and aggravation packing up all our
stuff, getting out of our lease or selling our home, and moving to
contend with too. Carefully consider these and other meaningful
factors and balance them against the opportunity costs of not making
the move. It’s a cost/benefit analysis tempered by the
aforementioned intangibles that should ultimately determine our
decision.
Personally I am by no means indifferent to where I live. That’s both a
luxury and a hardship, but one I’m more than willing to endure.

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