Blogs and Articles from Third Way Forum Membrs

・ Our initial thoughts are often driven by our emotion. If we just express our emotional thoughts in meetings, we can not explain ourselves logically. So we need to first stay calm and try to understand logically why we feel in that way. Then also we need to be conscious of the tone of voice we want to use. Only then when we speak, we can explain our thoughts logically and contribute to the discussion constructively.

・ To ease the hierarchical pressure many Japanese feel at work, you can arrange an informal set-up that will help the Japanese relax and be more talkative.

・ Quite often we discuss communication issues without defining what good communication looks like. Good communications are often defined by the results. If the results are good and achieved as intended, the communication was good.

・ The balance between confidence and humility is important. For the Japanese, humility is very important. Humility helps us avoid conflict triggered by jealousy and hostility.

・ Humbleness is important but we also need to be assertive as well. If we achieve this subtle balance, we can navigate in the Japanese hierarchy well.

・ Here are the three steps of successful communications in the Japanese hierarchy.

1.Be emotionally stable
2. Objectively understand the real needs of the other person
3. Then be assertive to communicate your thoughts