Episode #47: Engagement Workshop

Why is employee engagement a serious issue for leaders in Tokyo (東京 / Tokyo)?

Many managers in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign-owned companies) struggle with quiet employees, low initiative, and slow decision-making.
When people feel disconnected from the mission, they only do the minimum. Performance, innovation, and customer satisfaction all drop.

Episode 47 of THE Leadership Japan podcast with Dr. Greg Story (President of Dale Carnegie Training Japan in 東京 / Tokyo) focuses on one core question: how do we get people truly engaged at work?

Mini-summary: Without engagement, even skilled people underperform. Leaders must create an environment where people want to contribute, not where they feel forced to work.

Employee engagement means:

• People care about the work and the customer.

• They use their ideas, not just their hands.

• They feel respected, trusted, and included.

Engaged team members speak up, solve problems, support each other, and stay with the company longer.
Disengaged people wait for instructions, avoid risk, and mentally “check out”.

Mini-summary: Engagement is not a feeling-only concept. It is visible in behavior: initiative, energy, and ownership.

From the workshop described in the podcast, several simple actions stand out:

1. Show real interest in people.
   Ask about their ideas, listen carefully, and respond with respect.

2. Connect tasks to purpose.
   Explain clearly why their work matters for customers and for the business.

3. Give recognition quickly and specifically.
   Praise concrete behaviors, not just results, so people know what to repeat.

4. Create a safe space to speak.
   Encourage questions and new ideas; do not punish honest mistakes.

5. Develop skills continuously.
   Use 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), and DEI研修 (DEI training) to build confidence and capability.

Mini-summary: Engagement grows when leaders listen, explain purpose, recognize effort, protect psychological safety, and invest in skills.

Dale Carnegie Training has over 100 years of global experience helping leaders create engaged teams.
Our Tokyo (東京 / Tokyo) operation has supported companies in Japan for over 60 years with:

• リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) for managers and executives

• 営業研修 (sales training) that builds trust-based customer relationships

• プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) for clear, confident business communication

• エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching) for senior leaders

• DEI研修 (DEI training) to create inclusive workplaces where diverse talent can engage and perform

These programs help leaders turn ideas from Episode 47 into daily habits: better communication, stronger relationships, and higher engagement.

Mini-summary: Dale Carnegie Training Japan turns engagement theory into practical behavior change through training and coaching in Tokyo and across Japan.

• Engagement is the key driver of performance, innovation, and retention.

• Disengaged employees follow orders; engaged employees solve problems and add value.

• Leaders increase engagement through respect, purpose, recognition, safety, and skill development.

• Dale Carnegie Training Japan supports 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign-owned companies) with proven programs in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI.

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.