Today, we took the Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto.

The experience was smooth and hassle-free. The train covered an impressive 365 km in just 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Travelling with luggage wasn't an issue at all. While there wasn't enough space for my suitcase on the overhead shelf, it fit comfortably in the legroom area and between the seat in front of Em.

Last night, I went for a "traditional" Japanese dinner for a change 🙈

One thing that's been a bit tricky about food in Japan is finding accessible vegetables. Sure, you can track down tomatoes and lettuce but it's not as simple or as common as in Australia.

Supermarkets aren't as common in urban areas, with most shopping options centred around smaller convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Family Mart.

A powerful strategic narrative creates clarity, not complexity.

If you're a business leader, team lead or strategist looking to align and motivate people around a clear direction, the posts you've shared offer a goldmine of principles that support and extend the Strategic Narrative Tool (from Strategy Needs Good Words). That framework asks teams to define who they are, where they're going and why it matters - then communicate it in a way that inspires action. Here's how your writing already lives that out:

Start with decisions, not slogans. Your offsite advice is sharper than most strategy decks:

“What will we say no to? What will we fund? What changes Monday morning?”

That's not theory. That's a story people can follow. Strategic narrative works when it starts with choices.

Make clarity the culture. Culture isn't vibes - it's behaviours.

“What's praised. What's punished. Used in hiring. Reinforced in feedback. Lived under pressure.”

Strategic narratives lose power when values sound good but mean nothing. You show how to anchor them in action.

Keep repeating the vision. You call out a mistake many founders make:

“They think one deck, one all-hands, one strategy doc is enough.”

But repetition builds rhythm. A good narrative becomes the background music of the company.

Direction beats alignment. When teams stall, it's not due to lack of planning. It's lack of clarity.

“Don't confuse a plan with a strategy. Don't confuse activity with progress.”

Strategic narratives should simplify the noise, not add to it. You deliver that.

If someone asked how to put a strategic narrative into action, this writing is the how.
No fluff. Just sharp words, used well, to drive clarity and action.
That's what moves teams. That's what builds belief.

Visited Odawara Castle this afternoon - a place steeped in history. Once the base of the Hojo Clan, it grew into one of the region's most formidable fortresses. At its height, the castle town was protected by an incredible 9-kilometre moat and earthen walls. Sadly, much of it was destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.

I can't recall where I found this picture, but it's such an interesting analogy. Leadership is like farming - nurture the right conditions and growth will follow.

That said, sometimes you end up with the wrong crops or weeds mistaken for crops and it's just as important to weed those out.

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora
The entrance of Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora - a traditional Japanese rickshaw with its vibrant red upholstery adds a touch of tradition.

A vintage-style wall phone with rotary dial.

Our room comes with a private Japanese onsen (hot spring).

Today we visited Lake Ashi (Onshi-Hakone Park), a stunning crater lake in Hakone known for its natural beauty and breathtaking views.

Lake Ashi was formed around 3,000 years ago after a volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone. It's also famous for its sightseeing cruises, where pirate-themed boats take visitors across the lake for a fun, scenic experience. We skipped the cruise this time - it was a bit chilly at 7°C and windy!

Last night, we enjoyed a Japanese onsen (hot springs) at Hotel Indigo in Hakone. This area has been a popular onsen destination since the Nara Period (710–794), drawing travellers, monks, samurai - and now us 🙈 - for its therapeutic waters.

Fun fact: Japan has over 27,000 natural hot springs, making it one of the most geothermal-rich countries in the world!

We found this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant (Yokohama abura soba in Tokyo) - seats a max of 8 people - with authentic Japanese food. It was absolutely delicious.

The magnificent Mount Fuji (3,776m) - Japan's tallest mountain. Though it last erupted in 1708, it is still classified as an active volcano.

We were lucky to enjoy clear skies two days in a row!

I launched the "Timeline" while on holiday in Japan.
Here's why: A Return to Old-School Blogging

I went for a scenic run around the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo - a 5-kilometre loop encircling the grounds. The path follows the palace's moat, offering views of historic stone walls and traditional bridges. So good!

Everything feels small in Tokyo - apartment blocks, windows, balconies, even doors. It's so tiny that in some places, I don't quite fit!

Culture is shaped by the people within it. Sometimes, one person is all it takes to spark positive change.

An employee who offers genuine encouragement, lends a hand to solve a problem or suggests small but meaningful improvements can transform a team's energy - one action at a time.

This is the quiet yet powerful force of influence.

Amplify their voices.
Support them.
Elevate them.

Let their impact ripple further.

Silos.

Break them whenever you see them.

Silos keep teams from seeing the whole market picture.

Silos risk losing sight of the customer, prioritising internal goals and creating a fragmented experience.

Silos slow everything down - teams hold onto information, delaying solutions.

Silos leave teams blind to risks outside their scope.