Nemawashi

Nemawashi is a Japanese management concept that refers to a process of informal consultation and consensus building that takes place before a formal decision is made. The term nemawashi is often translated as "preparing the ground," and it refers to the process of quietly laying the groundwork and building consensus for a decision before it is formally presented.
In traditional Japanese management, nemawashi is an important part of the decision-making process, as it helps to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are consulted and that potential objections are addressed before a proposal is brought to a formal vote. This process of informal consultation helps to build consensus and smooth the way for a decision, making it more likely to be accepted and implemented successfully.
Nemawashi is often associated with consensus-based decision-making, where the goal is to reach a decision that is acceptable to all stakeholders. It can be contrasted with more hierarchical decision-making styles, where decisions are made by those in positions of authority without consultation with others.
While nemawashi is most commonly associated with Japanese management, it is also used in other cultures and organizations, particularly those that emphasize collaboration and consensus-based decision-making. By laying the groundwork and building consensus for decisions, nemawashi can help organizations make decisions more effectively and efficiently, and improve the chances of success for those decisions.
Here are some steps you can take to practice nemawashi:
# Identify the key stakeholders who will be affected by the proposed change: This might include employees, customers, suppliers, and others.
# Gather information and feedback: Do some research to understand the needs and concerns of the key stakeholders, and gather feedback on the proposed change. This might involve conducting surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews.
# Communicate and build support: Use the information and feedback you have gathered to build support for the proposed change. This might involve having informal conversations with key stakeholders, presenting your case in meetings, or using other communication channels to get your message across.
# Address concerns and objections: As you build support for the proposed change, be prepared to address any concerns or objections that might arise. This might involve providing additional information, addressing any concerns about the impact of the change, or negotiating compromises to address any concerns.
# Follow up and check in: After you have built support for the proposed change, continue to follow up and check in with key stakeholders to ensure that the change is being implemented smoothly and that any concerns or issues are being addressed.
Overall, nemawashi is about building consensus and support for a proposed change in a quiet and discreet manner, and taking the time to listen to and address the concerns of all the key stakeholders who will be affected by the change.
Category:Philosophy
Category:Business