Episode #49: How To Work On Your Business Not Just In Your Business

Why do busy leaders in Tokyo feel stuck inside the daily work?

Many leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) are always “busy,” but growth is flat.
They handle emails, approvals, and small fires all day, and have no time to think about strategy.

This podcast episode from Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo explains how to step back, see the big picture, and start working on the business, not just in the business.

In short: If you are always reacting, you cannot redesign or grow your business.

Working in your business = doing the daily tasks:

• Answering customer questions

• Fixing problems

• Managing today’s schedule

Working on your business = designing the future:

• Clarifying vision and strategy

• Improving systems and processes

• Developing people and culture

In this episode, Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnegie Training Japan in 東京 (Tokyo), talks about how leaders can shift more time to high-value “on the business” activities.

In short: “In” is operations; “on” is strategy, systems, and people.

Leaders in リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) often say, “I know I should think more strategically, but I don’t have time.”
This episode suggests simple, practical steps:

1. Block thinking time
   Schedule weekly time to review strategy, not just tasks.

2. Build systems
   Document processes so the team can handle routine work without you.

3. Develop your people
   Use 営業研修 (sales training), プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), and エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching) to grow your team’s skills.

4. Delegate and trust
   Give clear outcomes, not just instructions. Let people own results.

In short: Protect time, improve systems, grow people, and delegate so you are not the bottleneck.

For over 100 years globally and 60+ years in Tokyo, Dale Carnegie has helped leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) change behavior, not just learn theory.

Our programs in 東京 (Tokyo) focus on:

• リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) to build trust and influence

• 営業研修 (sales training) to drive revenue and relationships

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

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

• DEI研修 (DEI training) to build inclusive, global-ready cultures

In short: Dale Carnegie Tokyo helps leaders turn ideas from this podcast into real daily habits.

This episode of THE Leadership Japan Podcast is designed for:

• Executives who want scalable growth, not constant stress

• Division leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies)

• Managers preparing for larger responsibility in Tokyo and across Japan

You will hear simple, practical ideas to re-balance your time and focus, so you can lead the business instead of being trapped inside it.

In short: The episode gives you specific mindset shifts and actions to start working on your business from today.

• If you only work in your business, growth and innovation slow down.

• Working on your business means focusing on strategy, systems, and people.

• Tools like 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), and DEI研修 (DEI training) help teams operate without constant supervision.

• Dale Carnegie Tokyo combines 100+ years of global experience with deep understanding of 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) in 東京 (Tokyo) and across Japan.

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.