Stronger Through Adversity Spotlight on Johnny Yokoyama

I don’t know about you, but I will be glad to see you this year in the rear-view mirror. That said, this is also the month that my new book Stronger Through Adversity releases. I thought I would share a few excerpts throughout December from my new book since it is filled with many stories and lessons on resilience and hope.

I am grateful to the 140 plus leaders like the CEOs and Presidents of Target, Verizon, Microsoft, Marriott, and Mercedes-Benz, who shared their insights and wisdom. Today I’ll clip a section from the foreword of Stronger Through Adversity, which was written by my mentor Johnny Yokoyama.

Johnny wrote:

There is a proverb that says, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. As an80-year-old, longtime owner of the World-Famous Pike Place Fish Market inSeattle, Washington, I know adversity is a most remarkable teacher. Through my lifetime, I’ve experienced stiff challenges dating back to World War II whenmy family was forced to relocate from Seattle to Tule Lake and Minidoka internment camps. Under a presidential decree, as Japanese Americans, we were imprisoned in tarpaper huts surrounded by barbed wire. My parents lost their business (a produce stand in the Pike Place Market) and our home. Wealso faced significant prejudice upon returning to Seattle.

With those setbacks and others, I’ve faced as a business owner, I’ve sought totake each breakdown and use it to create a breakthrough. Despite my challenges,I’ve led a business that became a destination for visitors who traveled to Seattle.We had multiple books written about us, and several training videos share our “fish philosophy.” My life is proof that you can become stronger throughadversity.

I am always learning on my journey to make a world-famous difference, and Iknow you will walk away from this book inspired, hopeful, and more equippedto be Stronger Through Adversity.

Irrespective of Johnny’s recommendation to pick-up my book, I encourage you to take time this month to think about the lessons you have learned this year and how you’ll be stronger as a result of the pandemic.

If you’d like to learn more information about the book Stronger Through Adversity and get your special signed 40% off pre-order offer, head to strongerthroughadversity.com.

Until next time, may you be safe and Stronger Through Adversity.

Smoke over black background

Joseph A. Michelli, Ph.D. is a professional speaker and chief experience officer at The Michelli Experience. A New York Times #1 bestselling author, Dr. Michelli and his team consult with some of the world’s best customer experience companies.

Follow on Twitter: @josephmichelli

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