WTF: Meet Gaz

“We the Facilitators” (WTF) is a series presented by Link Global Solution (LGS) to shine the spotlight on our multilingual instructors. For those who have yet to take one of our workshops, WTF will give you the opportunity to get to know the members of our team, who deliver intercultural communication and business skills training that is educational, enlightening, entertaining, and always engaging.

In this installment of WTF, we are pleased to introduce Gareth “Gaz” Monteath.

—— Gaz, you and Robert (Hilke) have been doing this from day one. How long ago was that and how have things changed since then?

Gaz: If I’ve been doing this since day one, then Robert has been doing it from day zero. He’s the pioneer and I was thrilled to have the chance to work with him to develop our solutions. More specifically, when I first observed his seminar in March 1995, I felt that I could contribute by bringing team teaching to the party.

I’m pretty sure we were the first to [bring team teaching] to corporate training.

—— Team instruction, that’s something unique to the workshops that LGS offers, isn’t it?

Gaz: Well, I’m pretty sure we were the first to do it for corporate training, although I got the idea from the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme.

It took us a while to figure out how to make it work, but I’m proud of the results. And I’m also proud that we keep making it better, which is why I still get excited thinking about what we can add from now. For instance, we’re focusing more on high-performing teams and functional diversity practices, and moving forward, we’ll introduce more technology to personalize learning. We’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline.

—— Thinking back to when you were just getting started, did you ever envision that you’d end up working in an office in the heart of Tokyo’s posh Ginza district?

Gaz: No. When I joined in 1994, I was in the heart of Shimane. If you don’t know where or what that is, have some fun and dig out a map or have a quick word with Google-sensei [Interviewer’s note: Shimane prefecture is located approx. 500 miles, or 800 km, east of Tokyo]. Now I’m in the center of one the world’s largest cities in a huge and still growing—yes, you heard that correctly—economy. We are part of the growth story. We help our clients adapt and prosper, and we’ll work hard to continue to do just that.

—— You are the quintessential academic. You’ve got an MBA and a Master’s degree, and if I’m not mistaken, you were awarded your doctorate three years ago. I feel so inadequate around you (laughs).

Gaz: Flattery will get you everywhere! I was on a plane last year and a cabin attendant asked discreetly, “Is anyone here a doctor?” One of the other passengers had complained of feeling ill, apparently. I kept my hand down (chuckles).

At work, I see issues through a different set of lenses now. Having done deep dives into academic critiques and analyses, for instance, I have a clearer appreciation of what I understand to be the benefits of a traditional Japanese approach to HR, and I also feel better informed about the dangers of ill-considered attempts to revolutionize organizations here. Yes, it is true that the environment is changing, and organizations have to adapt to shorter working hours, smaller training budgets, and a shrinking pool of Japanese job candidates. They need to do that with care, though. It is thrilling to have a chance to work with clients to find a sustainable response that enables the achievement of business goals without ripping up the fabric of their organizations.

At work, I see issues through a different set of lenses now … I feel better informed about the dangers of ill-considered attempts to revolutionize organizations here.

—— Well, I, for one, can vouch for your in-depth knowledge of Japan. And like me, you’ve lived here a long time. Do you consider Japan to be your home?

Gaz: Absolutely. Why would I live anywhere else? Professionally and personally, Japan is a wonderful place for me to be.

—— But there is one area where I’ve noticed that you buck the trend: home parties. They aren’t that common here, but you seem to enjoy opening your home to such gatherings quite often. And they’re always amazing events, I might add.

Gaz: Thank you. My wife will love that feedback. If you’re curious about how that got started, I like good food, good wine, and good company. Mixing them can help to build trust, and teams need trust to create psychological safety. That, in turn, allows constructive conflict that results in real commitment to goals, values, and people. Breaking bread and drinking bubbles together, then, is important to me. I think my wife also enjoys spending some time with my colleagues─and sometimes clients. And if I’m honest, I appreciate being able to find my way to bed so quickly at the end of the party.

—— While I, on the other hand, usually find myself rushing to the station to catch the last train (laughs). Thank you, Gaz, for your home parties and for sharing your time with me today.