“Japan has a lot of engineers who work at desks. When it comes to implementation, though, they lose confidence and haven't got the courage of their convictions when other people criticize them. Engineers like that can't build cars. Success in this industry demands engineers who have the courage and the decisiveness to implement ideas.”

—  Kiichiro Toyoda

Kiichiro Toyoda in the 1940s, cited in: Satoshi Hino (2005). Inside the Mind of Toyota: Management Principles for Enduring Growth. p. 93

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Kiichiro Toyoda5
Japanese businessman 1894–1952

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