Being playful attracts opportunities.

Last Wednesday, I received a DM from one of my LinkedIn contact.

That was from Dr. (phil.) Natalia Wiechowski, originally from Germany, had been living in Dubai for 10+ years, and flew in from Bali to Tokyo.

She was saying " Arriving on this Thursday, and Leaving on next Tuesday. This is firs time to come to Tokyo, Japan. Do you fancy a catch-up?"

Wait! WHAT? She does not have much time in Tokyo, and we did not have much interaction before although we had been connected somehow... Why Me? I am not sure if I can provide something meaningful to her... but why not?

Anyhow, I replied to her in next 2 mins. I said "Thanks for reaching me out. Sure, I am open to catch-up."

She was staying somewhere not too far from my home, so I used my bicycle🚲. We did exchange DMs after we made meetup schedule... but I was relaxed like visiting to my old friend.

A little walk with casual talks became icebreaker. When we reached to the department store, I could tell we became a good friend already.

We shared a bit of each other's pasta on the terrace where we could feel a refreshing breeze.

It was a wonderful time to share the precious time, even though we were born in different places, grew up in different places, lived in different countries, and spoke different languages, we we could communicate with each other deeply.

We could keep talking and enjoying our company. Before I take her back to hotel, I wanted make a very last stop to let her try something a little more Japanese traditional, yet something she may be able to enjoy in Kyoto Tea Cafe.

We shared, learned, listened and talked each other.

She was quite open-minded, willing to learn more contact of Japanese culture, customs as well as language system like Japanese language does not have any alphabet, Japanese smiling or silent communication is not same meaning as western world. Japanese can read and communicate by air🫣🤔🤯

To reply to my question "why me? there are a lot more of LinkedIn Top Voices are in Japan too.", She simply said "You just look a playful person to meet. I could tell so by your profile and picture."

Oh, that is something interesting point which gave me another perspective to see myself. so that my take away from this meetup was...

Being playful attracts opportunities.

She also gave me so much inspirations of how I can pursue my academic study which I just started in Master degree, although I just received my master degree in Communication Design.

Our friendship has just began. Hope to meet her more anywhere on this planet.

About Hiroko T.

Worked in public relations, marketing, and business development for a Silicon Valley company expanding its business in Japan, and also pursued graduate studies in professional communication design in order to research communication in the corporate world and society.

In September 2023, graduated from The Graduate School of Social Design with a Master of Communication Design.

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