Impactful Communication: Yuuki Yoshiyama Of Hybrid Consulting Inc On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
Clarity First
Start with what you want to say — in one clear sentence. A simple and powerful message accelerates both understanding and action.
Avoid roundabout explanations; lead with your main point to take control of the conversation.
Especially in business, the key is to never let the other person ask, “So, what’s the point?”
I had the pleasure of interviewing Yuuki Yoshiyama. Yuuki Yoshiyama began his DJ career in 1996 and has since provided tour support for over 50 DJ MAG TOP100 ranked artists and other world-class DJs and artists. His achievements span more than 15 countries. As a seasoned promoter, creative director, and producer, he has played pivotal roles in major events and festivals, including serving as Executive Director of EDC Japan (2017–2020) and Executive Producer of GMO SONIC, Japan’s largest arena dance music festival, attracting 90,000 attendees over two years. Currently, as Music & Entertainment Director at W Osaka, he curates building-wide music and produces events spanning music, art, fashion, and wellness. A Chevalier and Officer of the Ordre Des Coteaux De Champagne and the French Order of Sabre d’Or, he has also revitalized party culture. Additionally, he is CEO of a consulting firm, a best-selling author with over 900,000 copies sold, and an executive advisor/director for over 30 companies.
Thank you for joining us today! Before we dive into our discussion about communication, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I started DJing when I was 16, during my high school years. Over time, I organized events, connected with local clubs, and built relationships with both business leaders and emerging DJs — many of whom are now top-tier artists. (For example, I had the opportunity to DJ alongside Tiesto and Armin van Buuren during their early tours in Japan around 2000.)
After university, I ventured into entrepreneurship, launching my own company, which I later sold upon graduation. While my career took me into business consultancy, my passion for music and DJing never waned.
Through consulting, I worked with hundreds of clients, published 20 books (with combined sales nearing a million copies), and expanded into corporate branding and event production. This naturally led me back to the entertainment industry, where I became deeply involved in festivals and large-scale event productions.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I’ve faced more failures and hardships than most people.
When I successfully brought EDC to Japan, there were several competitors bidding for the same opportunity. At the time, instead of focusing on contract negotiations or financial discussions with Insomniac in LA, I made frequent visits and simply talked about things like the hottest emerging artists, my favorite records, and other topics deeply rooted in dance music culture.
The people at the forefront of Insomniac back then truly resonated with how much I loved and understood the culture. That mutual trust and shared passion led us to finalize the deal at remarkable speed.
In business, people often talk about “seeing things from the customer’s perspective,” but this experience reminded me of something deeper: understanding what kind of culture and worldview our partners hold dear and proving that we are a global partner who genuinely shares and respects those values.
Looking back, I believe it was the result of sincerely putting myself in their shoes and aligning with their perspective that led to this successful partnership.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
1) Integrity
Keeping time, honoring commitments, expressing gratitude, and apologizing when you’ve made a mistake — being able to do these basic things reliably is the most important foundation of all. By steadily building trust in these small but meaningful ways, the other party will naturally start to feel, “Let’s give this person more chances,” or “Let’s entrust them with something bigger.”
In Japan, we sometimes refer to this as the ABCs — Atarimae no koto wo Baka ni sezu Chanto yaru (JP) = “Always do the Apparent Basics Consistently.” It may sound simple, but never underestimate its power.
2) Positive Vibes
Positive people attract other positive people. Whether it’s in work or in parties, the atmosphere naturally becomes brighter and more uplifting.
By consciously choosing positive language and behavior, you influence those around you in the same direction. Of course, in business, you’ll face many negative or challenging moments. But fundamentally staying positive allows you to respond effectively in any situation.
3) A Love for Making People Happy
This ties closely with point 2, but I genuinely love creating moments that bring smiles, relaxation, and joy to others. My grandmother used to say, “Lose a little, gain a lot.”
While I don’t view relationships through a lens of gain or loss, I interpret this as: “Be a Giver first.” Thinking up gifts or surprises that make others smile is practically my life’s calling. When the people around you are smiling, the team or project is almost guaranteed to succeed.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How would you define an “Effective Communicator?” What are the characteristics of an effective communicator?
To deliver a message effectively, clarity and simplicity are essential.
Even if you practice logical communication, when your conclusion is too complex, it becomes difficult for others to fully grasp your point.
That’s why I follow a simple rule:
One message per email, one message per post, one message per slide.
By sticking to this principle, I believe your core message becomes much clearer and more impactful.
This also applies to personal branding. If people can’t immediately understand who you are and what you stand for, effective communication won’t happen.
Your message needs to say clearly: “I am [your identity].”
Embedding that clarity into your branding is key to standing out and connecting with others.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
In the context of business communication, adjustments should be made based on the counterpart’s nationality, position, level of business experience, and even their career background or industry.
These factors all influence how you should communicate effectively with them.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
When communicating with people in the music industry, I intentionally adopt a more casual and open style of communication.
That’s because the culture of the industry strongly reflects in the way people interact.
This applies not only to face-to-face conversations, but also to chats and emails — the tone and approach should match the cultural context of the field.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
It’s precisely in difficult or sensitive situations that open communication becomes most essential. If you enter the conversation overly cautious or defensive, the other person will sense that immediately.
Sometimes, it’s best to be direct and say, “This might be a sensitive topic, but I’d like to talk about that issue,” and address it head-on. Establishing a shared understanding that the topic is unavoidable helps lay the foundation for a constructive dialogue.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
The most important element in impactful speaking is empathy. To create empathy, storytelling is essential — it places the listener in the shoes of the protagonist and makes them feel like a part of the story. If people sense that a story or message has nothing to do with them, they won’t absorb it — worse, they’ll tune out entirely. Empathy is everything. The stories are the bridge that create it.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1. Clarity First
Start with what you want to say — in one clear sentence. A simple and powerful message accelerates both understanding and action.
- Avoid roundabout explanations; lead with your main point to take control of the conversation.
- Especially in business, the key is to never let the other person ask, “So, what’s the point?”
2. Responsiveness
Speed builds trust. Timely responses are a basic expression of respect and the foundation for strong relationships.
- Quick replies are one of the most effective tools for closing the gap between people.
- Even saying, “I’ll check and get back to you,” is often enough to show responsiveness.
3. Sincerity
Can people trust the person behind the words? That is the core of authentic communication.
- Don’t lie, don’t exaggerate, don’t be vague.
- Being able to say, “I can’t do that,” earns long-term trust more than pretending you can.
4. Adaptability
Communication is not just one-way. Adjust your style and medium based on the other person’s position, background, and emotions.
- The “language” that works for a boss, a colleague, a client, or a foreign partner can be entirely different.
- Choose the most appropriate medium — email, phone, face-to-face, or even LINE — based on what suits the other person best.
5. Give First
Focus not on what you can gain, but on what you can give. Those who give first earn the most trust and influence.
- Share knowledge, offer help, express gratitude. The accumulation of small acts of giving leads to deep credibility.
- Acting based on meaning and contribution — not gain or loss — creates a virtuous cycle in any relationship.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
First, I focus on appearance management, which influences the impression I give to others. Cleanliness is the baseline, but I vary my clothing choices widely depending on whether I want to present myself in a more business-like or artist-like manner.
From a classic three-piece suit to a Saint Laurent leather jacket with distressed denim — being conscious and intentional with these choices allows me to control the impression I leave. That, to me, is critical.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Clarity is more important than ever. One post, one message. One email, one message.
Digital platforms make it harder to convey nuances or subtle emotions, so the ability to deliver a clear and simple core message has become essential.
If your message contains too many points, you’re forcing the recipient to spend time and effort decoding what you’re really trying to say.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
The beginning is everything.
If your opening stumbles, it can shrink your confidence and even become a lingering trauma. That is why your very first words matter most — and those are your greetings.
Project your voice from your core and practice vocal exercises beforehand. If you can deliver your first greeting with confidence, the rest usually flows naturally.
Next is thorough visualization training:
Imagine the venue, the audience, your outfit, the slides — every detail.
By running through this mental simulation repeatedly, you will be able to confidently deliver your speech when it matters most.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
“Overwhelming real-world experience” is the greatest resource of all.
No book or seminar can match what you learn from direct human interaction. The frustration of not being understood, the discomfort of silence, the joy of connection — these become your living textbooks.
That said, to truly grow through experience, feedback and reflection are essential. Here are some practical, experience-based resources I recommend:
Practical Experience-Based Resources
- Role-playing or improvisation settings
— Business schools, improv workshops, cross-industry meetups - Recording and reviewing yourself
— Observe your tone, facial expressions, pacing, and adjust accordingly - A reliable “feedback partner”
— A trusted mentor or someone skilled in communication - Proactive communication output
— Try podcasting, posting on social media, or creating presentation videos - Jump into live situations
— Jobs involving direct interaction: sales, customer service, education, negotiation, event MCing, etc.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would launch a movement called the “Creative Empowerment Movement”, which provides young people with a space for self-expression and co-creation.
Through music, art, and technology, I feel there’s a tremendous lack of opportunities for individuals — especially the younger generation — to have a voice, to express themselves, and to connect meaningfully with others.
This movement would offer platforms and support (education, funding, media exposure) that empower talented youth to freely share their creations and launch collaborative projects. Through the experience of moving society with what they create, they themselves grow into people of influence.
I believe this kind of initiative will spread values such as creativity, diversity, empathy, and boldness across generations, creating a chain reaction of goodwill around the world.
We never know what such a movement could lead to — but I do believe that creating a place where someone’s spark can ignite is one of the most meaningful challenges for the future.
How can our readers further follow you online?
I am most active on Instagram, where I post mainly about the dance music industry and my activities as a DJ.
Thank you for your time and excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
Impactful Communication: Yuuki Yoshiyama Of Hybrid Consulting Inc On 5 Essential Techniques for… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.