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How a pig, Doraemon, and a Japanese proverb can transform your workplace communication If you've ever worked hard to communicate clearly—in English or Japanese—and still walked away from a meeting unsure whether you were truly understood, you're not alone. Many of...
When I was in my teens - before I started karate - I used to practice judo. One time, a male opponent got me into an arm lock on the mat. The normal thing to do here is to tap twice to indicate submission. But I didn’t. I didn’t want to give in or give up. And I...
- a conversation with Kaki Okumura Isn’t it interesting that while Japan often admires and looks to the West for inspiration, the West similarly views Japan? Japanese wellness writer and illustrator Kaki Okumura grew up in the USA and struggled to find a...
Do you ever compare yourself to others? You see colleagues at work who just seem so confident, articulate, and on top of everything? You see people on Instagram with the most amazing bodies, beautiful relationships, and fantastic lives? According to a 2022 study,...
In 2022, Japan ranked 80th for English proficiency out of 112 non-English speaking countries and regions, falling two places compared with the previous year, according to a Swiss study. It’s easy to find media reports that Japan needs to improve its English skills...
“I get so nervous giving presentations.” Many clients tell me this when we start working together. And my response is usually, “Good. That means you’re a normal human being.” As human beings, from primitive times, we needed to be part of a group to survive. If we...
- a conversation with Tracey Northcott Do you ever give yourself a hard time? For example, you compare yourself with others. You tell yourself you didn’t do something well enough. You’re convinced you should be getting more done. You struggle to let go of...
Do you feel anxious about virtual meetings in your business? That’s common for various reasons, such as technical problems, different time zones, and not feeling confident about the impression you’re making on your global colleagues or clients — especially if you’re...
- a conversation with Randy Channell Soei Have you ever experienced a Japanese tea ceremony? You may see “sado” or “chado” as a form of mindfulness - a lovely moment to escape from the speed and pressures of a demanding job and a busy life. But have you...
- a conversation with Judy Liu Can you imagine giving away 90 percent of your possessions, living out of a suitcase, and waking up in a different place every 10 days - all while excelling in a corporate career as the head of learning and development for a global...
How often are you rushing to the next meeting, task, or project without really completing or making the most of what you were just doing? When I think back to my corporate days here in Japan, I know I spent much of my time fighting fires - dealing with what was most...
Snowboarding with family for my birthday, it struck me how giving presentations and snowboarding are alike. You may wonder in what way? Well, I remember just after my first snowboarding lesson at the age of 47, I happily started practicing on the easy slopes. Then, I...