Source: U-note

Horenso sounds a lot like the Japanese term for spinach, but it is often heard in Japanese offices which may be both amusing and confusing for the non-japanese.

Horenso is actually a fundamental business communication rule widely adopted by Japanese companies to promote an efficient means of information exchange. This term is an acronym for the words Hōkoku (報告), Renraku (連絡) and Sōdan (相談) which means report, communicate and consult respectively. 

Understanding the meaning of Horenso

Ho-Hōkoku (報告) refers to reporting. Regular reporting from subordinates to their supervisors on the work progress is essential. Junior staff must keep their immediate boss or any affected co-workers informed on the status of the task including items such as how a job is going when a job is done, or whether there are any hiccups or issues. Specifically, when problems arise, they must be reported immediately as the senior colleagues are usually the ones who are responsible for them. Ren-Renraku (連絡) means communication. Proper communication of simple information between co-workers must be facilitated regardless of rank or status. Such information refers to important details that could affect the work of your team. In contrast to hokoku where you report to a senior colleague, renraku is free sharing of important information amongst all ranks. For instance, if there are any project delays, you should communicate this information to all affected colleagues so they can adapt accordingly to the new work situation and minimize disruptions as much as possible. So-Sōdan (相談) is simply consulting with senior colleagues. When you need to make work decisions, the Japanese approach is that advice should be sought from seniors in order to lessen the burden of having to deal with the situation alone. Consultations between junior and senior colleagues are essential for building trust and resolving issues as a team. While it is fine to make your own decisions if you feel confident to do so, you should still keep your superiors in the loop about your decision and the eventual outcome. 

The above approach works in that there may be rich opportunities for divergent thinking and collaboration to find a better solution as a team rather than being a lone-wolf and solving issues by yourself.

Applying Horenso to your work to facilitate communication

To apply Ho, the idea is that everyone should be informed on what’s going on in the company. Taking the chance to speak up and offer information, being an active listener, and participating more in daily meetings would strengthen the exchange of information within your organization, especially when conferences are mostly conducted online these days. If your company does not have many meetings, it may be worth pitching 5-minute group chats at the start or end of each working day to stay on top of things as a team.

Ren could be applied by staying in touch and following up with one another. Email may not be the best medium for communication so it could be better to schedule a video call to your co-workers or bosses if physical check-ins are not possible these days. If you do need to email someone, be sure to follow up with a call or in-person as your co-workers may be bombarded by so many emails each day that they may not have seen your messages.

Looking before you leap is the key to applying So. Double-check with your colleagues before you make any work decisions. They may offer suggestions to revisions regarding your decision to learn to take it in your stride. The collectivist culture of making a decision works to ensure that the very best decision is made in the interest of the company. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra pair of eyes to check what you are doing before you take your next step in the decision-making process.

What do you think about applying Horenso in your workplace? Do you have other tips on facilitating information exchange and communication with your co-workers when most people are working from home these days?