by Helen Iwata | Jan 7, 2026 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
新年あけましておめでとうございます！2026年、あなたの一年はどのようなスタートになりましたか？ 私はというと……今年はまったく違う形で始まりました。今、ニュージーランドからこのニュースレターを書いています（人生初の「真夏の一月」！）。 ここは、娘のケリーとのワールドツアーの最終地点。この旅では、本当にたくさんのご縁と、心に残る体験に恵まれました。 訪れたのは… 上海 — ディズニーランドと、世界で唯一のズートピア・ランド ニュルンベルク & エアランゲン —...
by Helen Iwata | Dec 23, 2025 | All, Communication Skills, Personal Growth
The other day, I was reminded of a Sasuga! Podcast episode that I recorded during hotel quarantine back in January 2022 after visiting my parents in the UK for Christmas! I shared some interesting English phrases. And they serve as a gentle reminder to choose our...
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...
