by Helen Iwata | Dec 10, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
Wow! It’s December already! This month is known as Shiwasu in Japanese (師走)—when even monks are said to be running because it’s sooooooo busy! That makes this the perfect time to reflect on one of my favorite topics—less effort and more impact: how to maximize our...
by Helen Iwata | Jun 25, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
Have you ever been called a “leader” or a “manager”—and wondered what that really means? Understanding the difference can completely shift how you work, how you relate to others, and how you grow. Some years ago, a Japanese man said to me: “You’re a great leader, but...
by Helen Iwata | Jun 16, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
Have you been using ChatGPT lately? There’s a lot of talk these days about finding the best prompts to get great answers. But did you know prompts can work wonders for humans too? A Sasuga! Tips For You reader wrote to me the other day: “I’ve been journaling...
by Helen Iwata | Mar 19, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Conference Calls, Effective Facilitation, Expert Interviews, Personal Growth, Presentation Skills, Productive Meetings
Last week, I had the privilege of leading a 1-day workshop for female leaders at a stunning offsite in Hokkaido—Niki Hills Winery (highly recommend a visit!). The day before, I was treated to a winery tour and tasting. But the most memorable part? Seeing these special...
by Helen Iwata | Feb 18, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Conference Calls, Effective Facilitation, Expert Interviews, Personal Growth, Presentation Skills, Productive Meetings
Have you ever given a presentation that didn’t go as planned? Maybe you had problems with the slides, your mind went blank, or something else threw you off? If so, you’re not alone. Even experienced speakers face challenges—and I certainly did during my TEDx Talk...
by Helen Iwata | Jan 9, 2025 | All, Personal Growth
For the first time in 13 years, I’ve decided not to work with a coach. It feels a little strange after so many years of working with amazing coaches around the world. I remember my first coaching experience in my corporate days – a delicious 30 minutes purely...
