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Executive Coach | Cross-Cultural Leadership | International HR Strategy

Minako Honda-Athenor

Minako is a cross-cultural consultant and executive coach who bridges Japanese and Western business environments to foster high-performance leadership and seamless collaboration. As a human capital transformation expert, she specializes in turning challenging or toxic workplace cultures, including unionized settings in the UK, into thriving, sustainable organizations.
Minako

Areas of Expertise

  • Cross-Cultural Collaboration:
    Bridges cultural gaps to enhance collaboration, leadership, and productivity between Japanese and Western business environments.

  • Leadership Training:
    Provides coaching to improve cross-cultural communication and elevate team performance.

  • Cultural Audits:
    Conducts assessments to identify workplace challenges and boost employee engagement in Japan.

  • HR Strategy Alignment:
    Aligns HR practices with global standards to support organizational growth and integration.

  • Workplace Transformation:
    Designs initiatives to improve culture, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
  • Change Management:
    Guides organizations through restructuring with communication, training, and employee support.

  • Executive Coaching:
    Develops leadership skills, influence, and alignment in diverse, cross-cultural corporate settings.

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More About the Expert:

Minako Honda-Athenor is a visionary in Change & Transformation and Cross-Cultural Consulting, with over 25 years of global experience in leadership, HR, and organizational strategy. She began her career working with Japanese organizations in the UK, where she developed deep expertise in bridging cultural divides, a strength she has applied across UK, European, American, and Japanese business environments.

Minako is known for her ability to lead inclusive, transformative change. She has successfully guided organizations through industrial restructuring, strategic talent acquisition, and leadership transitions. More recently, she has focused on executive coaching for SMEs, helping C-suite leaders align strategy, culture, and performance.

Her approach is grounded in fostering collaborative, empowering workplace cultures that unlock the full potential of individuals and organizations alike. Whether working through complex change or building cross-cultural cohesion, Minako brings clarity, insight, and a strong results orientation.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD) and an ILM Level 7 accredited Executive Coach.

Empowering organizations to create engaged, high-performing teams—even in challenging workplaces and cross-cultural environments—by removing cultural barriers and transforming them into advantages that strengthen your brand, attract talent, and minimize people-related risks.
Minako Honda-Athenor
Executive Coach | Cross-Cultural Leadership | International HR Strategy
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