I needed to change my easily stressed behaviour
Graduate Profile
K. K. Sodosha
Representative Director
Mr. Motoji Miyachi
I joined Sodosha in November 1991. For about 15 years after joining the company, I learned planning and design in the production department, and after serving as a Director, became the Representative Director in 2019. Since becoming Representative Director, I have been blessed with numerous opportunities to meet with representatives, including the banks we do business with, and have learned much about business etiquette. This opportunity has been a great reference for management.
My hobbies are cars and ocean fishing. On weekends, I go for a drive without any purpose. I also go ocean fishing two to three times a month, and I enjoy cooking the fish myself.
Background
I took the Dale Carnegie Course in 2017. I had attended several professional development seminars in the past, but I could never quite come out of my shell. Then I found a copy of "How To Win Friends and Influence People" in a bookstore and thought, "This is it!” So I looked up Dale Carnegie online and learned about the training program.
The reason I decided to take the course was that when I became the director, I was getting along well with people, but when I had to deal with the top management of my most important client, I could not accept their irrational words and actions, and this showed in my stubborn behaviour, which I felt I needed to change.
Challenge and Results
When the course first started, the participants in the same class were of various age, occupation, and position, and I was a little hesistant at first. However, by the middle of the course, I gradually became more comfortable with the other participants and was able to express myself from deep within. I learned to speak through images instead of focusing on speaking well, and I learned to speak by focusing on others and what they are thinking. As a result, by the end of the course, my relationships had greatly improved with the challenging client who would give me a hug and call me “Miya-chan”. In retrospect, perhaps the client was testing me by seeing how I would react and give a firm opinion towards an irrational request.
Lesson Learned From Training
My most important learning has been my ability to remain calm and composed in any situation. I am now able to proceed carefully without panicking or making a fuss. I also focus on my subordinates, delegating to them, giving them a sense of importance, and when they fail, I take responsibility for their actions. I entrust my subordinates with the thought that they will eventually be replaced by the next generation. On the other hand, I have also gotten over a bit of stage fright, and I am now able to organize and articulate my thoughts when put on the spot.
Message
The environment surrounding us and people's sense of values are changing dramatically. It is important to act within these changes based on the information you gather and analyze.
It may be difficult for the world to grow significantly in the future, but it is possible to aim for a sustainable society. I would like to believe in ourselves and continue our business into the future.
Company Profile
K.K. Sodosha
Founded in 1970. During the height of the student movement, a group of like-minded people got together and started the company with the idea of making a difference while making a living. Since some of the founding members were gifted writers, we started our business in Tamachi, our hometown at that time, with editing and planning as our main business. Later, when we became acquainted with people at a co-op, our main work became the co-op's business, and we have been involved in catalog production, flyer production, and web production. More than 20 years ago, we moved to Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, and now have 38 employees, 60% male and 40% female, all of whom enjoy working together.
What is the Dale Carnegie Course?
The Dale Carnegie Course is based on the 30 Human Relations Principles developed by Dale Carnegie, known for his bestselling books "How To Win Friends and Influence People" and "How To Stop Worrying And Start Living," based on many years of experience, and is centered on the Five Drivers (Building Confidence, People Skills, Communication Skills, Leadership Skills, Stress Management) necessary to achieve success in life.
If you want to learn how to speak effectively, strengthen your interpersonal skills, manage stress, and cope with a rapidly changing work environment, the Dale Carnegie Course is the answer to all your challenges. The course can be taken either face-to-face in the classroom or online (we call it LIVE On Line).