How to Win Friends and Influence Bureaucrats: The Art of Nemawashi in Government
The Meeting Room of Broken Dreams: Why Great Ideas Stall
Ever sat in a meeting, armed with what you believed was the perfect business case, only to leave feeling deflated because no one seemed to get it? I’ve been there, and it’s disheartening. You pour your heart into a proposal, gather all the necessary data, and present it with confidence, yet it gets lost in the politics. It’s not that your idea isn’t good; it’s that the official channels aren’t always the best way to get things done.
That’s where nemawashi comes in. I discovered this Japanese concept during a particularly challenging project in government, years ago. Nemawashi, which literally means “going around the roots,” involves laying the groundwork for a decision by informal consensus-building. It’s about planting seeds and ensuring your idea has support before it ever reaches the formal decision-making stage.
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Nemawashi 101: A Japanese Secret to Getting Your Way
Nemawashi is a powerful concept rooted in Japanese culture. The term originates from the practice of carefully preparing a tree for transplanting by digging around its roots and gradually introducing it to its new environment.
Unlike the typical top-down approach where decisions are made in formal boardrooms, nemawashi emphasizes the importance of preliminary discussions and consensus-building.
Think of it as the difference between planting a tree directly into the ground without preparation and taking the time to nurture its roots beforehand. The latter approach, much like nemawashi, increases the likelihood of the tree — or your project — taking root and thriving. In my experience, adopting nemawashi has helped the way I navigate the complexities of government and business, making it easier to gain support and move projects forward.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Be the Sneaky Genius Everyone Loves
Implementing nemawashi in your work involves a series of deliberate steps aimed at building consensus.
Here’s a practical guide to get you started:
Step 1: Identify Key Stakeholders Begin by identifying the individuals who have influence over the decision you’re seeking. These are the people whose support you’ll need to move your project forward. They may be the director or next level down manager. You may need to follow your organization's hierarchy and politcics to get a conversation with the key influencer.
Step 2: Build Personal Relationships Invest time in building genuine relationships with these stakeholders. This goes beyond professional interactions; get to know them on a personal level. Understanding their motivations and concerns will help you tailor your approach.
Step 3: Present Your Ideas Informally Before making a formal proposal, share your ideas in informal settings. This could be during a casual chat, over lunch, or a 30 minute catch-up meeting. The goal is to introduce your concept and get initial reactions.
Step 4: Gather Feedback and Refine Your Proposal Use the feedback from these informal discussions to refine your proposal. Address any concerns, incorporate suggestions, and clarify any misunderstandings. This iterative process helps in creating a proposal that is more likely to gain support.
Step 5: Formal Presentation and Final Approval With your refined proposal and the groundwork laid, you’re now ready for the formal presentation. Thanks to the preliminary work, you’ll find that the stakeholders are already on board, and the formal approval process becomes a formality.
Patience, Grasshopper: Why Good Things Take Time
Embracing nemawashi means accepting that the process is inherently time-consuming. Unlike the quick, one-and-done nature of formal presentations, nemawashi requires continuous, thoughtful engagement with your stakeholders. It involves numerous informal discussions, each one building on the last, to slowly cultivate support and consensus.
In my experience, this investment of time and effort is crucial. Rushing through nemawashi can undermine the trust and understanding you’re trying to build. It’s about playing the long game — dedicating the necessary hours to nurture relationships and gather meaningful feedback.
My experience in government would tell me that you will need to make concessions, a lot of them! I have been frustrated more times than I care to admit where there is a simple solution to revolutionize a department and make real change for communities only to be squashed by a lack of political will or leaders with personal agendas. Aligning to these elements and getting your project approved even if it is watered down significantly still moves the needle, just not as far as you’d like it to go.
Go Forth and Nemawashi: Your Call to Action
Incorporating nemawashi into your work routine can transform the way you navigate the complexities of government and business. This approach, though time-intensive, paves the way for smoother decision-making and project approvals. By taking the time to build relationships, engage in informal discussions, and gather feedback, you lay a solid foundation for your ideas to flourish.
I encourage you to try nemawashi for your next project. Embrace the process, be patient, and watch as your ideas gain the support they deserve. With nemawashi, you have the power to turn initial resistance into enthusiastic endorsement, driving meaningful change in your organization.
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