Have you ever had an ice bath?I took the plunge on a recent family holiday to Thailand.This is something I thought I’d never do. I thought people who did it were mad. Even though I’d heard the benefits of improved circulation and sleep, reduced inflammation and...
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Less Effort And More Impact: Networking For Introverts And Low-Energy Extroverts
Do you sometimes find networking events tiring or a bit intimidating? What if you could have a positive impact without expending a lot of energy? The other day, I attended an event. But I’d just recovered from being ill, so I didn’t feel like bouncing around the room...
Speak Easy: How to Tame Presentation Butterflies
“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.” Why it's normal to be nervous As human beings, from primitive times, we needed to be part of...
Declutter Your Slides And Engage Your Audience With Danshari-Inspired Presentation Design
If you use presentation slides in your work, how much time do you spend creating them? How confident are you that they convey your message clearly? How engaging and persuasive are your slides?Since my early days as a “communication specialist” with McKinsey Japan,...
The Most Effective Way To Use A Laser Pointer
Have you been in a presentation where the speaker is using a laser pointer? This could be in person or online. You see that little red dot shakily attempting to underline a phrase, whizzing from one side of the screen to the other, and even twirling in circles. Have...
3 Ways To Save Time Practicing Presentations
If you’re like many busy business professionals, you’re rushing to finish your presentation slides at the last minute and definitely don’t have time to practice your delivery. Sound familiar? Here’s the problem… Your slides may be logical, comprehensive, and...
3 Checkin Questions To Reduce Meeting Distractions
Have you ever been in a meeting where your colleague didn’t seem to be paying attention or contributing fully? You might feel frustrated. But you probably don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life that could be distracting them. One day, I joined a 1:1 coaching...
3 Tips To Deal With “Mum Guilt”
“My son has been sick this week, and he ended up watching YouTube for kids all day since he wants to be in my room where I work. I felt bad.” This is a classic example of mum guilt. In many cases, “Mum guilt” (or “Mom guilt” or “Mommy guilt”) is when you want to be a...
Is It Unprofessional To Smile?
I was amused when I read an article about how Japanese people were taking classes to learn how to smile after spending so long wearing masks during the pandemic. It makes sense though. Our facial expression has a huge impact on our communication to others as well as...
3 Steps To Turn Comparisonitis Into Inspiration
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,...
How To Communicate To Build Trust In Global Business
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...
5 Tips To Ease Presentation Nerves
“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...