7 professional women from Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the UK kicked off the Lean In Tokyo Girls On Fire 2017/18 Kick Off meeting at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills on September 27, 2017. This celebration dinner marks the start of our 4th year and we were delighted to welcome a returning founding member as well as a new member to the Circle. Other members were unable to attend but we look forward to seeing them at our October 18th meeting.
With time in Japan ranging from 6 months to almost 20 years, our Circle diversity was not only cultural. We cover diverse fields: banking, pharmaceutical, professional services and luxury goods. Cross-pollination of ideas and sharing best practices and members find the variety refreshing and inspiring.
Creating Trust
For a circle to be successful, members need to agree to the 3 Circle fundamentals: Confidentiality, Communication and Commitment. Over the four years of moderating this circle, Commitment has been one of the keys to developing trust and learning. As members see each other more regularly, the relationships really deepen and it is amazing to have a group of supportive peers available to help you with challenges and opportunities.
(Image Credit: Leanin.org)
Lean In peer support enables change
In the past year members have taken on new roles, asked for and been given stretch assignments, returned with grace and professionalism from maternity leave and developed their professional skills. It’s inspiring to see the growth in the group and many members commented that being part of this community has helped them either from moral support or by using specific techniques covered in the curriculum
A year from now?
Setting shared goals and themes for the group in the Kick off Meeting allows the moderator to pick the most appropriate resources on LeanIn.Org. The Leadership series is a great place to start as it does touch on many universal themes and gives you a 5 month arc of meetings to get you started.
As the Lean In Tokyo Girls on Fire group is in our 4th year, we are looking for new material and interested in including a guest speaker or mentor once a quarter.
Themes for the year will include:
1. Clarifying Mission
2. Overcoming Fear
3. Influencing Others
4. Difficult Conversations
5. Managing your Manager
6. Women’s Wellness
7. Reputation and Branding
8. Effective Collaboration
9. Developing Balance
An email free Circle
LeanIn Tokyo Girls on Fire will be moving our circle communications to Slack. Events will continue to be advertised on Social Media but to be inclusive we need a non-public platform for discussion that all members can access. Members who have never used the tool are keen to be “email free”!
2017/18 Meeting Dates
Generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month 7pm to 9pm at Dale Carnegie Japan. Meetings are free unless otherwise stated.
2017 10/18, 11/15, 12/13 (2nd Wednesday)
2018 1/17, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16, 6/20, 7/18
Would you like to join an English Speaking Lean In Circle in Japan?
Request to join the Lean In Japan Creating Change Chapter and we will set up a call to decide which circle is best for your needs.