The proposal: "20% more."

Remote Work → Remote Teamwork

When remote work first began, a senior colleague shared these words with me: "Let's embrace remote teamwork."

We'd be working apart—at home, in cafes, with only our computers before us. Immersed in our tasks, we might suddenly feel completely alone. This was a call to consciously reach out to each other, actively share information, and engage with one another—especially now.

Simply having the mindset of "teamwork" can subtly change our usual behavior, right? I'd like to add another suggestion: let's increase our communication by 20%. But first, what exactly is "communication"? Let's start with that.

The dictionary is a lifeline

Whenever I find myself wondering, "What exactly is that?" I always consult a dictionary. I think of a dictionary as a life preserver floating in a vast ocean. It supports you like a reliable anchor.

Even when grasping a vague sense of meaning, looking it up always yields some discovery. If not a full discovery, it becomes a starting point for thought. Incidentally, I keep a paper dictionary on my desk and also have a dictionary app on my smartphone. Looking up the Shin Meikai Japanese Dictionary, it defines words as...

Sounds used according to traditional conventions as symbols for people (belonging to the same ethnic group) constituting that society to convey thoughts, will, emotions, etc., or to identify various things and phenomena. Also, the act of expression using those sounds. (Broadly speaking, this also includes the characters representing them, expressions using characters, and gestures used in artificial languages and sign language).

The meaning of "language" has both a "narrow sense" and a "broad sense." Its meaning expands like a circle. The narrow sense is the central part, referring to what is "commonly called." In this case, it means spoken words, the sounds we produce to communicate.

On the other hand, the broad sense includes programming languages, sign language, and gestures. This was a significant discovery for me, a realization I hadn't fully grasped before.

I'll define "language" in my own way.

Any means of conveying what's in your heart to another person becomes language. Written words. Spoken words. Words sung. Words of the hands. Words of the body. Words of dance. Words of film. Words of photography. Language allows us to connect with each other. Language allows us to share with each other.

Considering this, I realized there are ways we can be more thoughtful in how we use language, especially now when opportunities to meet in person have decreased.

Expressions: 20% more

Transparent plastic sheets at convenience stores and supermarkets. Masks in daily life. Computer monitors at work. We are now surrounded by many "barriers." To overcome these barriers, I propose we go 20% extra.

Take web meetings on Zoom or Teams, for example. Your expressions and gestures there are also words. They send messages. What might come across in person might not reach the other person when seen through a computer screen, in a world just inches wide. So, try expressing yourself 20% more than usual. That alone might make it easier for the other person to receive your message.

The same applies to chat interactions. Haven't you ever felt a message seemed cold, struggled to read the underlying emotion, and ended up feeling restless or anxious?

Saying "Got it!!" rather than just "Got it" better conveys your tone. While overdoing it isn't good either, I suggest consciously adding emoticons or emojis, or using that "20% more" approach to words to share your feelings.

Diamond Inc., 320 pages, ¥1,650 + tax, ISBN 978-4478110140 (Photo/Photography: Nao Noto)

For more concrete ways to ensure your words aren't just "spoken" but truly "heard," I highly recommend my book, 'Super Words That Capture Hearts: Essential Communication Skills for Everyone'.

Let's transform our new lifestyle into a "20% More Lifestyle." In daily life, let's show smiles that peek out from under our masks. Even during remote work, I believe words spoken with genuine feeling nurture relationships between people. Amidst the pandemic, I hope we can explore better ways with words and share these insights with everyone through teamwork.