Self-Help Devotee Helps Baker's Tokyo Associates Become Better Communicators
A former BigLaw associate who is a devotee of neuro-linguistic programming is helping Japanese lawyers in Baker & McKenzie’s Tokyo office through motivational counseling and training in better communication.
John Yoon had worked as an associate at Paul Weiss and Shearman & Sterling before he became professional development manager at Baker & McKenzie, the AmLaw Asian Lawyer reports. At Baker, he develops workshops to help associates improve their English and develop better presentations. He also helps associates seeking guidance in individual sessions.
“For associates who really need a confidence boost,” the story says, “Yoon digs a little deeper into his motivational toolbox. He is a big believer in neuro-linguistic programming, a New Age therapy often associated with [Tony] Robbins that uses hypnosis and other methods to ‘re-program’ the mind and remove blocks to mental progress. Yoon says that it can help the lawyers he works with dramatically improve their ability to learn English or communicate effectively with others.”
Yoshiaki Muto, managing partner of the Tokyo office, tells the Asian Lawyer that Yoon’s techniques are apparently working, based on the increased number of associates willing to take on secondments. This year six Tokyo associates are working at other Baker offices and two are working in clients’ offices. Previously only one or two associates a year were accepted for such assignments.
Hat tip to the Careerist.
