How to Become a "Conjunction Master" Who Lands Stray Remote Meetings

Become a Conjunction Master

What percentage of your workplace meetings are web conferences these days? In my case, until February this year, 90% of my meetings were in-person gatherings, but now it's reversed. Almost all work meetings have become web conferences.

While I've gradually gotten used to seeing faces on screens... depending on the project, it's often frustrating when schedules can't be set because the future path is unclear.

Each meeting is held to move toward a goal. Since we're spending that time together, I want us to cross some kind of finish line. With the increase in web meetings, I've developed a strong desire to become a "Conjunction Master" who can skillfully use conjunctions.

When discussions veer negative, conjunctions like "but" or "because" start piling up. Of course, sometimes we need to address negative factors. Still, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial when exchanging opinions.

In such moments, consciously shift the conjunctions themselves. Couldn't we say it was "rather" good in this respect? Isn't there something we can do "precisely because" of this situation? Isn't there a "conversely" positive aspect to this outcome?

It might be a bit of a stretch. Yet, interestingly, just voicing these things shifts the atmosphere. The mood of the meeting gradually, subtly changes.

The "Fundamentally/For example/In other words" Theory

When crafting copy, I also think using conjunctions. Specifically, these three: "fundamentally," "for example," and "in other words."

I start by asking "Fundamentally," recall experiences with "For example," and then derive the essence with "In other words."

First, we start with "Fundamentally," which poses the question. We consider, "Fundamentally, what is it?" Let's explore this together using the prompt from the first installment of this series: "How would you translate 'I LOVE YOU' right now?"

What is "love" fundamentally? When considering this, it's helpful to "question the枕詞 (makurakotoba)". A makurakotoba is a word closely associated with another word – a word that readily comes to mind.

The枕詞 for "love" is...
Eternal love.
Unconditional love.
Irreplaceable love.

We often hear these phrases, but are they truly accurate? We begin to question and ponder.

Next is "for example." I use this conjunction to expand my ideas. Ideas are born from a question, then imagination spreads out. Using "for example," I make the circle called images in my head grow bigger and bigger.

For example, like how you couldn't stop thinking about the kid sitting next to you in middle school, right?

For example, on the way home from the school trip, your parents were waiting for you right in front of the station ticket gate, right?

For example, eating a meal with someone else is way more delicious than eating alone, right?

These don't have to be limited to personal experiences. Things you've seen or heard in books, TV, or movies are fine too. Just keep digging, persistently and relentlessly, without giving up. I make a habit of recording things I see, hear, or experience in the smartphone app "Evernote" to remember those heart-fluttering moments in daily life.

Finally, "in other words." From the circle you've drawn, make a conscious decision to narrow it down. Plant your flag on the "essence" that feels like the direction you should head—the one that feels far more compelling, the one you want to declare is the real deal.

For me, the essence of love isn't the grand concept of "eternity," which is also a poetic phrase. It's simply the "discovery" of noticing the other person's changes.

To be eternal → To discover

Love, in essence, is discovery. In a school classroom, it's noticing when their eraser falls. On a date, it's noticing their new outfit. In daily life, it's noticing small changes in their health. Using "in essence" like this, I create an arrow pointing from the starting point to the destination and weave it into words.

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

 
I wrote my book, 'The Super Language Techniques to Capture Hearts: Essential Knowledge Even If You're Not a Copywriter,' so that readers can become 'Conjunction Masters.' For more detailed planning methods, please check out the book.

When a meeting is going off track, it's because each member's ideas have expanded too far. That's precisely when you should consciously use "in other words" to steadily narrow the focus and land on a conclusion. Use "in other words" to draw out the current conclusion. Finding a resolution before the end of a remote meeting allows you to move on to the next meeting feeling satisfied.