Nemawashi

Ever notice how some people get their ideas approved effortlessly while others face constant pushback?

The difference isn’t charisma.
It’s preparation.

I am in Japan this week and found this.

In Japan, they have a word for this: Nemawashi.
It means “preparing the roots” before you plant.

Smart leaders never walk into important meetings cold.
They build consensus one conversation at a time.

Here’s the 6-step system that turns skeptics into supporters:

1. Map Your Stakeholder Tree
↳ List everyone affected by your decision
↳ Note their concerns and influence level

2. Start With Your Skeptics
↳ Meet them first, not last
↳ They’ll help you spot real problems early

3. Listen More Than You Pitch
↳ Ask what worries them about your idea
↳ Understanding beats convincing every time

4. Co-Create Solutions Together
↳ Ask how they would approach the challenge
↳ Include their ideas in your final plan

5. Circle Back With Updates
↳ Show how you used their feedback
↳ People support what they help build

6. Make Meetings a Formality
↳ When everyone arrives already aligned
↳ Your proposal passes without debate

I’ve seen this transform outcomes:

✅ A project no one believed in suddenly gets full support
✅ A budget that usually faces scrutiny gets approved fast
✅ A major change goes smoothly instead of causing chaos

This isn’t about manipulation.
It’s about giving people a voice before decisions are made.

Try this with your next big proposal.
Start with one skeptic.
Have one honest conversation.

You’ll be surprised how quickly resistance becomes partnership.