As veterinary practice owners, managers and leaders, we’re always looking to influence our teams to implement new ideas, strategies, and processes.
Sometimes this is a lot HARDER to do than it needs to be.
Today we’ll share how to make this much EASIER…
Meetings are idea-killers
Group meetings are idea-killers, as you know from experience. People are resistant to change and experts at finding flaws. And criticism is contagious, so even your brilliant ideas get shot down and when that happens, those ideas don’t get a second chance.
However, there’s a process that can multiply your chance of success. It’s rooted in the Japanese concept of nemawashi: cultivating the roots.
The secret to success? Nemawashi…cultivating or working around the roots.
“Nemawashi is a Japanese term that literally translated means ‘work around the roots’. It is a consensus-building technique that aims at removing obstacles to proposal approval by seeking an informal audience with the decision-makers before a formal meeting is held.
The concept is not about lobbying as many people think of it because with lobbying there is a hint of unprofessional conduct involved. Lobbying would mean doing all that you can to get your project approved even if it means politics and bribing people. In Nemawashi, people use informal meetings to seek approval so that the process can take less time and to get everyone on the same page.” (Source: Nemawashi Model for Decision Making)
The key to nemawashi is the meetings before the meeting.
If nemawashi is new to you, it might sound like a lot of time and effort however, the goal is to make nemawashi a smart investment: only practice it for ideas you really care about, and only pre-meet with key members of the group: the powerful (high-status roles or decision-makers), the potential sceptics, and the potential allies.
Cultivating the roots to grow your idea successfully
At the pre-meetings…..
1. Share the essence but not the details
During the pre-meetings with the key people, share the essence, but not all the details of your idea. You’re not trying to persuade them, rather you’re seeking their advice, so allow them to influence you.
You don’t need to agree with everything they say, but understanding their concerns will help you to improve your pitch to the group. As they advise you, they will also be influencing themselves as giving you advice makes them feel like part of your team.
2. Ask the powerful for advice on your pitch
When you meet with the powerful, ask their advice about the pitch. They have insights on politics and will be more supportive of a pitch they advised you on.
3. Ask the sceptics for advice on how to address concerns
When you meet with the sceptics, ask for advice about how to address their concerns. They know things you don’t, they’ll be more open-minded after offering advice, and if they can’t think of a solution, at least they won’t criticize you for not finding one.
4. Ask your allies for support during the meeting
When you meet with your allies, ask them to speak up in support of your great idea, and to do so early on in the meeting. They may be glad to do so but you still need to ask.
Pitching your idea at the meeting
When you pitch your great idea to the group…
1. Include suggestions from pre-meetings
Include some suggestions from the pre-meetings even if you had some of these ideas already as letting others feel responsible will help them to feel more invested. (This is why you didn’t tell them all the details of your plan.)
2. Share key concerns surfaced by your nemawashi
These concerns will have less power when you bring them up, rather than when someone else does. By demonstrating that you’re well-prepared and reasonable, you’ll be more likely to disarm opponents by speaking the concerns in their minds, and you’ll also get to frame the concern. If you don’t have a solution, maybe there’s a reason you don’t think the issue is a big deal. Or maybe you can invite the group to help you figure it out later.
An unconscious piece of social proof that comes from nemawashi
People tend to nod in agreement, but they also nod in recognition.
When you pitch your idea to the group, those hearing it for the first time will be looking around to see how others react. Those you already met with will unconsciously nod because they recognize your idea. But their head nods will look like agreement, giving the impression that the group is already on board. This is only a small thing, but kind of cool, isn’t it?
Put this strategy to work in your next team meeting.
May the power of nemawashi help you bring your great ideas to life.
Think you might need more help?
Email me at dge@turbochargeyourpractice.com if you’d like to talk about some on-on-one mentoring.
