The Curve of Growth

 

Sadaharu Oh (1940-), the home run king of Japanese baseball and later a celebrated manager, once said, “When a team or a player grows, they don’t just move up at a 45-degree angle. Growth rises so gradually that we can’t see the difference, and then it takes a sharp curve upward. Even during those gradual stages, it’s important for a manager to be patient and keep waiting.” This idea reflects both the “learning curve” in education and the “growth curve” in marketing. In any field, true progress demands persistent effort and continuous creativity. On this point, Mr. Oh also remarked, “Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that goes unrewarded, it cannot truly be called effort.” At first glance, his words may seem strict. Yet they come from the experience of a man who endured many slumps and continually worked to bridge the gap between ideals and reality. Through unwavering perseverance, he repeatedly reached his goals. His message reminds us that genuine growth happens in the struggle between where we are and where we wish to be. By maintaining the resolve to keep trying, learning, and adjusting, we move steadily closer to our aspirations.

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