Date of publication: Apr 22, 2019

Kevin Reynolds

Leadership and Organizational Development Consultant: Globalinx Corporation

Date of birth: March 21, 1961

Hometown: London

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 28 (as of April 2019)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?

In my early 20s, I studied karate for a while in London. From there, I began to form a loose interest in coming to Japan. This became much stronger in 1989 and I finally put on a rucksack and headed for Tokyo. I had intended to stay about 12 months and then backpack around Asia, but things changed when my daughter was born, then my son — and I’m still here!

Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.

“You never know what’s going to happen.” In my experience, I have seen some doors open as others close, and whole corridors occasionally open up that I had no idea even existed. And sometimes things went in directions that I didn’t want them to, when the light at the end of the tunnel was not much more than a flickering candle. But, wheels turn through their circles, and things change.

Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?

Twice being a finalist in screenwriting competitions with one of my screenplays “The Girl Who Fell Through Time.”
That’s not exactly related to my normal job of being a consultant, but we did publish two books — “The Great Presenter” and “The Great Negotiator.”
Finally, many of my staff when I was an HR Director are now HR managers or HR directors themselves, which I think is a pretty good thing.

Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?

Professionally I want Globalinx to expand our services and continue helping our clients become “highly engaged and high-performing organizations that achieve extraordinary results.”
Personally, I want to see at least one of my scripts get made into a movie! Well, perhaps more than one would be even better.

Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?

Firstly, learn Japanese from the get-go. I didn’t do that and I can confirm that it’s definitely an advantage to be bilingual. I get by, but in some situations there is so much more that I have to say, but can’t. Take a year or two, and immerse yourself in study before you become too busy to do that.
Secondly, start planning for your children’s education right now. International school fees are expensive (if not paid by your company). University fees are pretty steep, too, especially if you need to include flights and residential costs for overseas colleges. I’ve been out of the UK for a long time, so we had to pay full international student fees for my daughter in the UK, even though she had British nationality. So, start saving now!

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Last updated: Apr 22, 2019