{"id":20608,"date":"2025-10-03T15:55:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T06:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/?p=20608"},"modified":"2025-10-06T01:24:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T16:24:27","slug":"report_20251002","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/en\/report_20251002\/","title":{"rendered":"[Workshop Report] Leadership Core Program (Session 5): Expressing Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The fifth session of the Leadership Core Program, which is part of the ToTAL course “Fundamental Group Work for Leadership”, was held on July 12, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Leadership Core Program<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Facilitator<\/td>Kenshu Kamura, Representative of NPO Ba to Tsunagari Labo home\u2019s vi<\/a>
Yuri Matsuzaki, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Academy for Leadership, Institute of Science Tokyo<\/td><\/tr>
Date and Time<\/td>Saturday, July 12, 2025, 14:00\u201318:00<\/td><\/tr>
Venue<\/td>Room J2-2002, 20th Floor, J2 Building, Suzukakedai Campus<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Overview]<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Activity 1:<\/strong> Pecha-Kucha Style Self-Introduction Presentation<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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\u25a0Overview: Each participant gave a presentation introducing themselves using the Pecha-Kucha format: 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide, for a total of 6 minutes 40 seconds. No text was allowed\u2014only images, which made it easy for the audience to understand by visual storytelling.
\u25a0Objectives:
\u2460Help participants get to know each other and build connections for the future
\u2461Share research topics, personal ideas, or key messages in an engaging way
\u2462Practice delivering impactful and authentic presentations using visual tools
\u25a0The automatic slide progression created a mix of excitement and pressure, making the presentations both challenging and rewarding. While the theme was \u201cself-introduction,\u201d the content varied greatly\u2014ranging from research topics to personal values, hobbies, and life stories. This diversity allowed us to learn more about each other on a deeper level. Each presentation was followed by a short Q&A, which encouraged dialogue and deeper mutual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 2: <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> World Caf\u00e9, Review of the Core Program<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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\u25a0Overview: We reviewed the activities that we experienced for five sessions and shared in groups how we would like to apply what we learned in the future. Afterwards, we held a dialogue on the theme of leadership in a world caf\u00e9 format. Finally, each member shared their overall impressions and aspirations for the future with everyone.
\u25a0Objectives:
\u2460 Reflect on the overall experience from the core program and articulate thoughts on the learning.
\u2461 Through the World Caf\u00e9, engage with others’ perspectives and deepen understanding of leadership.
\u2462 Share the articulated thoughts with everyone and gain insight into each other’s values.
\u25a0First, we marked down our impressions on a list of activities coverd in the five classes. After that, we discussed our questions with other group members during the sharing session, gaining additional insight from their comments. We then discussed how we would apply what we had learned in our research activities and ToTAL activities.
Second, in the World Caf\u00e9, we started with the question, “Should leadership education be incorporated into universities’ curriculum?” and engaged in dialogue about the definition of leadership and the situations in which it is required. By listening to members’ thoughts and writing down our feelings on flip charts, we were able to visualize the process of our thoughts.
Through this self-introduction opportunity, we got to know each other better, and the distance among students has significantly closed. We wish the connections among members are not limited to this core program, but continue as an emotional support in various ToTAL activities and our life as a graduate student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 3: <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Dinner party<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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\u25a0Overview: After the presentations, a casual dinner party was held to encourage open conversations among participants.
\u25a0Objectives:
\u2460Provide an informal space for new ToTAL students to get to know one another
\u2461Facilitate interaction across campuses (Suzukakedai, Ookayama)
\u2462Build a broader network among students from different fields and grades
\u25a0Details: There were many conversations among participants during the dinner. We talked about research, hobbies, and life beyond campus. The dinner reminded me how important it is to have spaces where people can talk freely and naturally. The relaxed atmosphere\u2014with no hierarchy or pressure\u2014felt like a signature strength of the ToTAL community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reflections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Pecha-Kucha presentation helped me realize both the difficulty and the joy of expressing myself effectively in a limited time. It challenged me to think carefully about visual design, storytelling structure, and time control. Most importantly, it helped me develop both the skill to express my ideas and the courage to speak with authenticity. The dinner party also offered new findings. By speaking directly with ToTAL students\u2014many of whom I did not have a chance to talk before. It was exciting to feel that \u201cI want to hear more from this person,\u201d or \u201cWe might be able to work together in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Note<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I participated in this session as an observer, and I was deeply impressed by the quality and personality of each student\u2019s presentation. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how to talk about yourself in a way that truly connects with people, I highly recommend trying the Pecha-Kucha format. The structured format actually encourages more creative freedom, and it’s a great way to expand your range of self-expression. This session is also ideal for anyone looking to build connections within the ToTAL community in a friendly, low-pressure environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yuta Murao, D1, School of Life Science and Technology, ToTAL 6th cohort
Tasuku Watanabe, D3, School of Environment and Society, ToTAL 4th cohort
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