Nemawashi

Nemawashi is a Japanese business practice involving informal discussions and consensus-building before making a formal decision. It’s like laying the groundwork by consulting colleagues and stakeholders privately, gathering their feedback and addressing concerns beforehand. This process helps ensure that when a proposal is officially presented, it has broad support and smoother approval. Nemawashi fosters harmony, reduces surprises, and facilitates collaboration by aligning everyone's expectations early. Though often unseen by outsiders, it’s a key part of Japanese working culture that emphasizes respect, careful communication, and collective agreement.