No One Will Tap You on the Shoulder
She had everything it takes to lead—performance, influence, respect. Everyone came to her when things got stuck. But as she watched senior leaders tighten their grip on operations while competitors adapted faster, a gap was opening. "I think I could be the Country Head," she said in our coaching session, "but I'm not sure I'm ready."
The real block wasn't her capability. It was permission.
She'd been waiting for someone to tap her on the shoulder and say "now's the time." But no one was coming. The role she envisioned? She had to step into it, not wait to be invited.
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The CEO Who Wasn't Needed
What happens when a new CEO arrives to find the organization running smoothly without them? This isn't about crisis management or turnaround strategies - it's about the far more complex challenge of integrating into a team that has already learned to succeed independently. Through a real case study from Japan's medical device industry, we explore why joining high-performing teams often proves harder than fixing broken ones, and what leaders can do about it.
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When Crisis Strikes: How Organizations Reveal Their True Corporate Character
When crisis strikes, an organization's true nature is revealed. This piece explores how companies, much like individuals, exhibit "dark side" tendencies under pressure. Drawing on real-world examples, it delves into how aspirational values can transform into their extremes, offering crucial insights for leaders to build resilient and authentic corporate character.
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Generations at the Table: Getting Intergenerational Teams Right in Japan
Intergenerational teams are no longer the exception- they’re the reality.
We explore how to get the best out of these diverse teams by drawing on Belbin’s team role research and our work with leadership teams in Japan. From uncovering hidden strengths to navigating generational dynamics, we share what helps these teams thrive - and what holds them back.
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Why Smart Leaders Get Stuck - and How First Principles Can Save Them
What do you do when your go-to leadership strategies suddenly stop working? For James, a seasoned expat and first-time country head in Japan, that moment came fast. His transformation initiative stalled. His team stayed quiet. And all the tactics that once made him successful - meetings, momentum, big vision - fell flat. Sound familiar?
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The Secret to Changing Minds at Work? Listen Smarter
Trying to get buy-in at work but hitting a wall? You’re not alone. From boardrooms in Tokyo to hybrid teams across APAC, influencing others can feel like a battle of logic, but the real key is how you listen. Based on new research, practical tools, and cross-cultural leadership insights, this article explores how curiosity, storytelling, and civility can help leaders change minds without creating friction. Especially relevant for leaders navigating the unspoken rules of workplace harmony in Japan, this piece offers actionable tips you can apply tomorrow.
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The Motivation Myth: Why Leaders Are Getting It Wrong
Is your leadership approach running on empty? Meet Takashi, a veteran sales manager whose motivation tactics have hit a wall. This article examines the tension between Agency Theory (which assumes employees need constant oversight) and Self-Determination Theory (which suggests people are naturally motivated under the right conditions). Through Takashi's journey, we'll explore how traditional control-based management often backfires, while offering practical, actionable steps for leaders ready to shift gears. Discover how Japanese companies are already reimagining motivation and learn specific techniques to transform your team from reluctant participants to engaged drivers of success.
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"Who's in Charge Here?" Fixing Accountability in Japan’s Matrix Organizations
Struggling with decision-making and accountability in a matrix organization? You are not alone. In Japan, we’ve seen companies embrace matrix structures for cross-functional collaboration, only to face role ambiguity, misaligned priorities, and slow execution. Without clear accountability, decision-making stalls. Learn how Apple’s DRI model offers a practical solution for making matrix organizations work.
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The New Rules of Organizational Health: Leading Culture Change in a Global-Local Reality
Imagine a workplace where empowerment replaces authority, purpose drives performance, and innovation thrives through collaboration. In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, the rules of organizational health are being rewritten, and leaders who adapt with intention are the ones driving extraordinary results.
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Legacy Makers: Leading with Impact in 2025
Great leadership doesn’t just happen—it’s intentional. As we step into 2025, stories of purpose-driven leaders remind us that self-awareness, values, and a focus on legacy are essential to driving meaningful impact. This year, reflect on your leadership: What legacy do you want to create, and what steps will you take to achieve it? Start shaping your future today.
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From Surviving to Thriving: Building Fully Engaged Teams
How can Japanese workplaces thrive? Gallup’s 2024 Workplace report highlights critical challenges: low employee engagement (18%), high stress levels (41%), overburdened managers, and a growing purpose gap for younger workers. Let’s explore actionable insights and leadership strategies to build resilient, high-performing teams in Japan. And discover how to drive change today!
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From Rural Roots to National Impact: Megumi Ishimoto's Fight for Gender Equality
Meet Megumi Ishimoto, the passionate empowerment pioneer and inspiring force behind Women’s Eye, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting women in Japan’s rural areas. Driven by her experiences in Tohoku after the 2011 disaster, Megumi has made it her mission to uplift women through education and digital training, creating real impact in local communities. Her work transforms lives and proves that with passion and dedication, one person can drive meaningful change. Dive into her story of leadership, resilience, and her bold vision for a more equal and inclusive Japan.
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Rediscovering Excellence: What Tom Peters Taught Us About Leadership
Tom Peters is retiring, marking the end of an era in leadership and management thought. For many, including myself during my university days in Germany, Peters’ work was a revelation. He cut through the abstract, theory-heavy models of the time with practical, human-centric insights that transformed the way we think about business. As we look back on his legacy, it’s clear that his lessons on excellence, communication, and leadership are more relevant than ever in today’s fast-paced world. Join me in rediscovering the timeless principles that continue to shape how we lead in the 21st century.
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Conquer Goals with Tiny Steps: A Coaching Guide
Feeling stuck in your ambitions? Discover how taking tiny steps can transform your journey from hesitation to achievement. Learn about the Zeigarnik Effect and the Two-Minute Rule, and how these psychological principles help overcome procrastination. With real-life examples and actionable advice, see how coaching breaks down daunting tasks into manageable actions, creating momentum and success. Ready to move from dreaming to doing? Start with a small step today and unlock your path to big changes.
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Mastering Leadership: From Dictator to Coach and Everything In Between
Being a great leader isn't about sticking to a single script—it's like being an actor with a repertoire of characters, each suited for a different scene. Exceptional leaders adapt their style to fit their team's needs and the challenges they face. In this blog, we explore the six common leadership styles identified by Daniel Goleman: coercive, authoritative, pacesetting, affiliative, democratic, and coaching. Each style has its pros and cons, and knowing when to use them can make you a more effective leader. Ready to become a leadership chameleon? Let's dive in! For personalized guidance, connect with me to expand your leadership toolkit and become an exceptional leader.
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Start Strong, Finish Stronger: 5 Steps to Transform Your New Role into a Legacy
Exceptional leaders leave a lasting legacy, one that impacts people and resonates within their organization long after they've moved on. In your new leadership role, the focus should not only be on quick wins but also on building a profound, enduring impact. Find out the 5 steps to creating a leadership legacy, guiding you from immediate successes to long-term influence.
We'll explore how to engage in ‘era planning,’ envision your leadership legacy, create future possibilities, develop a strategic plan, and balance ‘now-forward’ with ‘future-back’ planning. These steps will help you achieve a meaningful legacy that fosters a thriving, resilient organization.
Move beyond the constraints of the traditional 90-day plan and learn how to create a legacy that endures. Transform your leadership approach with insights and strategies that ensure your impact is felt for years to come. Start strong and finish stronger by focusing on what truly matters.
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Fortune Favors the Fearless: Mari Matthews’ Finance Journey
In her interview with Karin Wellbrock, Mari Matthews, a trailblazer in the financial sector with experience at AIG, Metlife, State Street, and Google, now leads at BNY Mellon Trust Japan with a unique mix of public policy insight, strategic foresight, and effective leadership skills. Mari is recognized for her bold career moves, her ability to merge decisiveness with empathy, and her drive for lifelong learning. She successfully tackles the challenges of global markets while promoting diversity and advocating for women in the workplace, offering valuable lessons for aspiring professionals.
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Leading with Confidence: Transform Your Team with These Psychological Safety Tips
Why leave a psychologically safe environment to chance when you can deliberately create one? Discover how celebrating mistakes and valuing opinions can dramatically boost team performance. In our latest guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to cultivate a fearless and innovative team atmosphere that drives your organization toward success. Dive in and start leading with renewed confidence!
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Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: The Masaki Wakabayashi CEO Blueprint at GE Healthcare Japan
In this comprehensive dialogue, Masaki Wakabayashi, the President, and CEO of GE Healthcare Japan, unfolds his journey and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style, his drive for excellence, and his profound commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, openness, and innovation within the organization.
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Transforming Workplaces with Volunteer Spirit: Lessons in Engagement and Purpose
In a workshop with volunteer leaders from Hands-on-Tokyo, a thought-provoking question emerged: “Why do people volunteer on a Sunday afternoon when they can do countless other things?” Based on this question, we explore the motivations behind volunteering. and uncover that seeking personal satisfaction, an eagerness to learn, the fulfillment of supporting a community, and the drive to make a global impact drive these volunteers. We derive lessons and actions for managers and leaders in the corporate world.
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