Why Technical Talent Struggles in Bureaucratic Systems
In many countries, people believe technology is the key to progress. But in some places, especially where bureaucracy runs deep, technology tends to decline instead of thrive. This is not because there is a lack of talent, but because the system does not recognize or reward those who build, fix, and innovate.
Technical professionals such as engineers, developers, and craftsmen often face an unfair deal. They carry heavier responsibilities, solve harder problems, and continuously sharpen their skills, yet they receive the same pay and recognition as administrative staff who might not face the same level of challenge or pressure. Over time, this imbalance wears people down. Some ask themselves why they should work so hard when others do less and still get ahead. Others consider switching careers just to be seen and heard.
I experienced this personally while working as a software engineer in Hong Kong. I loved solving problems and building reliable systems. I took pride in writing clean code and making things work better for users. But no matter how much value I delivered, the recognition usually went to someone else, often a manager who didn’t write a single line of code. Promotions and raises were given based on how well you managed meetings or headcounts, not how much you contributed to the product or the customer experience. At one point, I realized that if I wanted to move up, I had to stop being an engineer and become a manager. That realization broke my heart. It made me question whether we truly value builders at all.
This problem is not new. In Chinese history, many people who had real skills started out as soldiers, merchants, or craftsmen but eventually became officials because that was the only path to respect and a decent life. Those who stayed in technical roles were treated like common laborers, working harder for less. Over time, this led to poor craftsmanship, lower quality, and a culture of cutting corners. When talent is not respected, excellence cannot survive.
In contrast, countries like Germany and Japan built cultures that honor craftsmanship. Skilled workers are respected, protected, and given space to master their trade. A watchmaker in Germany or a swordsmith in Japan could earn deep respect, not just for what they made, but for how they made it. They didn’t need to become managers to be valued. They were valued because they pursued excellence with discipline, pride, and care.
This difference in mindset still matters today. Countries that respect their builders lead in manufacturing, engineering, and innovation. Countries that ignore them fall behind and become dependent on others for progress.
If we want to build a better future, we need to stop telling our best minds that management is the only path to success. We need to reward people who create, who fix, who design, and who improve. We need to create cultures where technical excellence is celebrated, not overlooked. Let engineers stay engineers and still rise. Let craftsmen take pride in their work and still thrive. Let builders be heroes in their own right.
Because when we lift up our builders, we all rise together. A society that values its creators will never stop growing, and a team that believes in its talent can achieve the impossible.
Let us be the ones who build that culture. Let us lead by example. Let us make room for the makers, the doers, and the dreamers who turn ideas into reality.
The future belongs to those who build it.
