'Nemawashi': Japanese Corporate Culture Tactic Can Help Overcome Office Politics & Boost Your Career
An integral concept in Japanese work culture is Nemawashi, which underscores the importance of not introducing a new idea for the first time during a meeting but instead laying the groundwork and gaining insights beforehand. Understanding and incorporating Nemawashi into your professional life could help boost your career.
The Japanese are renowned for their exceptional work culture and are often celebrated for their dedicated and effective approaches to work. Thus, exploring and learning from Japanese work practices can be a valuable endeavor.
An integral concept in Japanese work culture is Nemawashi. Incorporating Nemawashi into your professional life could help boost your career.
What is Nemawashi?
Nemawashi, a Japanese term encapsulating their approach to corporate culture, emphasises the significance of informal discussions in hallways rather than formal boardroom settings.
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The essence of this concept underscores the importance of not introducing a new idea for the first time during a meeting.
Instead, Nemawashi represents an informal business process in Japan, wherein the groundwork for a proposed change or project is laid by engaging with relevant individuals, seeking their support, and gathering feedback before an official announcement.
The key is to conduct preliminary discussions and gain approval in hallways before formally presenting the idea in a meeting¡ªa strategy considered pivotal for success in the corporate environment.
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How to use Nemawashi to your advantage in your career
As per Japan Intercultural Consulting, a consulting firm focused on Japanese business, the nemawashi consensus-building technique begins when the one who proposes an idea seeks out individuals who are key decision-makers in the company.
The nemawashi meeting itself can take various forms, ranging from casual encounters in hallways or elevators, to official pre-meetings.
During the nemawashi meeting, the focal point is to articulate the details of the plan, proposal, or idea being advocated and to gauge the reaction of the individuals involved in the nemawashi process.
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Subsequently, based on the feedback garnered from these meetings, adjustments and refinements to the proposed course of action can be made.
Through the practice of nemawashi, the aim is to either ensure a higher likelihood of success for the idea or gain insights into why the proposal might face challenges or disapproval.
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