What do a woodcarving master, three Bonenkai, and blindfolded chess have in common? They all taught me something this week.
Year-end in Japan is a whirlwind of gratitude, reflection, and connection, and even though I’m thousands of miles away now, those traditions still shape how I close out the year.
This season reminded me how much timing and intention matter. Sometimes, opportunities feel like synchrodestiny: the right people, the right moment, the right conversation. I’ve seen that in my work too, especially when bridging Japanese HR practices with U.S. norms. What feels perfectly reasonable in Tokyo can be a lawsuit in San Francisco, and navigating that gap takes more than compliance, it takes cultural fluency and empathy.
Now that the bonenkai season is behind me, I’m turning my focus to preparing for the new year. There’s something energizing about this pause before the next chapter begins. I’m excited about what’s ahead, and I have some great news to share next week!
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