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How do you feel when meetings go off track? You may feel frustrated or stressed because you’re not reaching the meeting goals and you’re failing to achieve the business results you were looking for. You’re wasting time. Tension is building among the people in the...
Even if you clarify the meeting goals and roles of each participant, the conversation can easily go off track if the facilitator fails to align everyone on the ways that you will get things done in a meeting. Let me give you two examples: brainstorming and decision...
What role do you play in meetings? Is everyone in your meetings clear about their role and how best to contribute to achieving the meeting goals? Like unclear goals, a lack of clear roles leads to poor results, wasted time, and disengaged or frustrated colleagues. So...
Do you have a facilitator in your business meetings? It’s the facilitator’s role to lead the meeting and make it easy for participants to achieve the meeting goals. Did you know that the word “facilitate” comes from the Latin “facilis,” which means “easy”? Sadly, in...
Do you wonder what to do with your hands when giving presentations? Let me first share with you what NOT to do - three common hand positions to avoid if you want to build trust with your audience and get your message across clearly. 1. The fig leaf The “fig leaf” is...
Have you ever thought about where you stand when giving a presentation? Even when you’re nervous, you can choose a physical position that helps you look and feel more confident. Let’s look at three typical settings in business and public speaking and where to stand...
I love the emphasis on harmony in Japanese society. But it can lead to two problems in business meetings: • Unquestioned agreement. Everyone agrees on an idea or approach – often proposed by the most senior person in the room – without questioning whether it’s really...
Let’s make this easy. After all, the word “facilitate” comes from the Latin “facilis,” which means “easy.” It’s the facilitator’s role to make it easy for participants to achieve the meeting goals. Remembering just 3 things will make it easier for you to facilitate...
Do you attend unnecessary, unproductive, or uninspiring meetings? As well as being demotivating for attendees, such meetings are a huge and avoidable cost for organizations. Think of the hourly cost of each person in the meeting and how that money or time could be...
Yesterday, I coached a lovely Japanese lady. She had a communication-related goal, but hadn’t been making progress. I asked her why she wanted to achieve that goal, and she gave a reason. I then asked why that was important to her, so she gave a deeper reason. I...
I'm so happy to see more people reading and talking about 英語の仕事術 - a book to help Japanese people communicate with more clarity and confidence in the global workplace. The five chapters cover 1. Listening and questioning 2. Giving presentations 3. Participating in...
Do you ever disagree with what's being said in a meeting, but stay quiet? You doubt your judgment or simply want to keep the peace? Or perhaps you don't question what your colleagues propose – just happily go along with it? Sadly, this often results in weak decision...