"Leadership is the ability to bring people to somewhere they didn't think they could go."
"If you want to do co-creation, you have to do co-creation—consistently. You can't just turn it on and off."
"Don't focus only on your English speakers; that creates toxic politics inside the organization."
"There's no point being afraid of change—it's coming anyway, so embrace it and lead from the front."
"Your people know you better than you know them. Consistency builds credibility and trust."
Previously Glen was Co-Founder of KGD International G.K.; Chief of Staff, President's Office Bayer Holdings, Bayer Yakuhin Japan; Vice-President General Manager, Japan Syneos Health Clinical Solutions; Director Government & Industry affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals; Director, Office of President & CEO; Manager IBERICA Holdings Japan; Corporate Planning & Portfolio & Product Strategy Planning Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma.
What role does storytelling play in leadership in Japan?
Glenn emphasises that leaders must give their teams a compelling story—one that is realistic yet inspiring, stretching potential without breaking credibility. Vision alone is insufficient; it must be supported by consistent communication, regular progress updates, and visible actions that prove the leader is living the values of the organisation. In Japan, where employees often anticipate the worst if left uninformed, transparency is the most effective way to prevent negativity and build alignment.
How should leaders engage with employees in Japan?
Engagement begins with listening. When stepping into a leadership role, Glenn made a point of conducting one-on-ones, group lunches, and field visits with customers and sales teams. This was not only to introduce himself but to gather insights from staff at all levels. By synthesising these perspectives into strategic actions, he built credibility and showed respect for employees' experience. For him, engagement is less about imposing a new narrative and more about co-creating it with the organisation.
Why is credibility so important for leadership trust in Japan?
Trust, Glenn argues, is built on credibility—the single most important factor employees look for in their leaders. Employees observe their leader's behaviour closely and adjust accordingly. Consistency, respect, and openness are non-negotiable. Trust is also reinforced by how leaders handle mistakes. In Japan's perfectionist culture, errors are often stigmatised, yet Glenn maintains that mistakes must be framed as learning opportunities. Instead of rejecting ideas outright, leaders should explain decisions and encourage teams to test new approaches within agreed boundaries.
How can leaders overcome silos and matrix challenges?
Japan's business environment is marked by entrenched silos and the complexity of global matrix structures. Glenn's approach is to create opportunities for cross-functional interaction, sparking collaboration by bringing teams together in informal settings. He sees the role of a country manager as a translator—bridging corporate headquarters' expectations, Japan's cultural context, and his own leadership style. Importantly, he avoids walling Japan off as a "kingdom," instead advocating for Japan to be a proactive participant in global change initiatives.
What advice does Glenn have for foreign leaders in Japan?
He advises incoming leaders to resist steamrolling with bold directives. In his experience, such behaviour leads to surface compliance while staff quietly wait for the leader's departure. Instead, he recommends authenticity—defined not as brash self-assertion but as inclusivity, diversity, and consideration. Being authentic in Japan means listening, asking questions, and drawing out the deep sense of ownership that employees already hold for their work.
What is Glenn's definition of leadership?
Ultimately, Glenn defines leadership as creating change and bringing people somewhere they did not believe they could reach. It is not about individual heroics but about crafting a collective journey, enabling people to grow and succeed together. This philosophy reflects both his global career trajectory and his long immersion in Japan's corporate culture, offering a pragmatic yet inspiring blueprint for effective leadership in one of the world's most complex business environments.
