by Helen Iwata | Oct 28, 2024 | All, Personal Growth
Have you heard of dokusho no aki (“autumn reading”)? If you grew up in Japan, you may remember this from your school days. This Japanese concept is said to come from a Chinese poem written in the Tang dynasty that Natsume Soseki referenced in his novel Sanshiro in...
by Helen Iwata | Oct 17, 2024 | All, Personal Growth
My stomach tightened. In our online meeting, Team Sasuga! had just encouraged me to go laptopless for 11 days! 😱 And then I realized that this was a GREAT opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and learn something new. At least I would have my notebook and phone…...
by Helen Iwata | Oct 1, 2024 | All, Personal Growth
Wow, I just published edition 444 of my newsletter, Sasuga! Tips For You. That represents a LOT of tips since I started the newsletter in 2015! Apparently, the number 444 represents “clarity and decisiveness.” And after going in circles thinking about the best topic...
by Helen Iwata | Jun 11, 2024 | All, Personal Growth
Perhaps the worst and best advice I’ve received so far in my 3-decade career in Japan. WORST ADVICE: Underpromise and overdeliver I received this advice from a senior colleague in my early days at McKinsey Japan. “Brilliant!” I thought. What a great way to delight my...
by Helen Iwata | May 27, 2024 | All, Personal Growth
Five years ago, my business was going extremely well based on decades of experience as a bilingual British woman in corporate Japan, a solid professional reputation, and GREAT client relationships. But one area that I’d neglected was my look. More than one person...
by Helen Iwata | May 21, 2024 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
What do you do when you get sick as a business professional? Even if you work for a company that provides paid leave, you may find it difficult to let go and trust that everything will be okay without you – especially if you’re in a manager or expert position!...
