Episode #242: Naomi Osaka And The Public Speaking Mindset

Why does public speaking anxiety still derail careers in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global companies)?

Many professionals assume their technical skill alone will advance their careers. But as responsibilities grow, the requirement to communicate publicly becomes unavoidable—whether speaking to employees, shareholders, or the media. Naomi Osaka’s experience highlights a universal reality: you are paid not only for performance, but also for representation.

In 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global firms in Japan), executives and managers face similar pressures. You may excel in your role, yet still lose opportunities to colleagues who communicate more confidently.
Mini-Summary: Public speaking is not optional in leadership—it's a core part of the job across all industries in Japan.

Osaka openly stated she is “not a natural public speaker” and experiences “waves of anxiety.” Despite a net worth reportedly around $77 million, she struggled with the non-athletic but mandatory part of her profession: talking to the media.

This mirrors what many businesspeople face in Tokyo. Few tennis academies train athletes in media communication—just as few companies train employees in プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training). Professionals are left to learn through trial, error, and stress.

Mini-Summary: Even high performers lack structured training in public communication—making anxiety predictable, not personal failure.

Most executives admit they never proactively sought プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), even though it could accelerate their careers. Like Osaka, they endure unnecessary anxiety instead of building capability.

Despite thriving in technical or managerial roles, many leaders still feel like “a whipped dog in the shadows,” hoping not to be called to speak. Without coaching and repetition, fear becomes a career limiter.

Mini-Summary: Business professionals often delay training for years, even when the lack of skills directly harms performance and promotion potential.

One shift changes everything: moving from avoidance to mastery.

The author describes spending 30 years terrified of public speaking until finally taking formal training. With coaching, skill-building, and repeated practice, he ultimately delivered more than 500 speeches—and even learned to enjoy it.

This mindset evolution is what Dale Carnegie Tokyo specializes in through:

• リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training)

• 営業研修 (sales training)

• プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training)

• エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching)

• DEI研修 (DEI training)

Mini-Summary: Confidence comes from training + coaching + repetition—not personality or natural talent.

Her withdrawal from the French Open wasn’t just a sports story—it was a lesson for every executive and emerging leader in Japan:

• Public speaking anxiety is universal, even among top performers.

• Avoidance leads to missed opportunities.

• Training and coaching are accessible—and transformative.

• Mastering communication is essential for leadership influence and career longevity.

Just as Osaka needs expert coaching to face the global press, professionals in Japan need structured, evidence-based development to face clients, teams, and stakeholders.

Mini-Summary: If public speaking is limiting your career, the solution is not avoidance—it’s professional training.

• Public speaking is a core leadership requirement in Japan—across 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global firms).

• Anxiety is normal; lack of training is the real issue.

• Coaching plus repetition transforms fear into confidence.

• Investing in communication skills protects and accelerates your long-term career.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.