by Helen Iwata | Dec 12, 2023 | Communication, Conflict, Personal Development, Uncategorized
Even though I’d practiced karate in the UK as a university student, when I first joined my dojo in Japan (over 30 years ago!!!), sensei laughed at my moves. I had to give up my blue belt and go back to being a white belt beginner. For years, I felt uncomfortable...
by Helen Iwata | Nov 28, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Personal Development, Uncategorized
Do you like having your photo taken? We always check with event participants whether they’re okay with us taking photos to share on social media. One of our participants – a lovely Japanese lady – always said, “No.” She didn’t like having her photo taken....
by Helen Iwata | Nov 21, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Personal Development, Uncategorized
How do you react when people around you are negative or angry? The other day, during an event for The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business, the fire alarm at our venue went off. We immediately evacuated the building. While waiting for the alarm to stop...
by Helen Iwata | Oct 31, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Personal Development
What do you do when you’re feeling down? How do you handle your own negative thinking or low energy? I take time to acknowledge how I’m feeling and consider the cause (so that I can do something about it if it’s within my control). Then, here are 9 things I find...
by Helen Iwata | Oct 17, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Personal Development, Uncategorized
The locker was empty! Whaaaaaaat??? Where was my bag with my laptop, credit card, and other valuables!!! My mind was racing just minutes after I’d emerged from the lovely, relaxing hot baths at my local spa in central Tokyo. Here’s what had happened… I’d realized the...
by Helen Iwata | Oct 3, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Personal Development, Uncategorized
Well, this story certainly got a laugh from the audience at our recent event for The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business. Around 30 years ago (!!!), I was working as a Coordinator for International Relations at Yokohama City Hall. I’d been asked to...