Autonomy at work:
Bridging Japanese and Western business cultures at SEKISUI
"Why are we still discussing this? Let’s just decide and move on!"
"We can’t move forward until everyone agrees, it’s not respectful otherwise."
Welcome to the autonomy debate, where Japanese and Western workplace cultures meet, sometimes clash, and ultimately enrich one another. At SEKISUI, this cultural interplay is part of daily life. It challenges us to adapt our views on autonomy, leadership, and teamwork. When understood and embraced, these differences become a source of strength.
Our recent Cultural Workshop highlighted how important it is for colleagues to understand and respect each other’s cultural nuances and communication styles. Collaboration across cultures is possible and deeply rewarding.
Let’s explore how autonomy is practiced across cultures, and how SEKISUI turns these differences into strengths.
Two Cultural Perspectives
Japanese Approach: Mastery and Harmony First
In Japanese business culture, managers are firmly in the driver’s seat. They guide their teams with precision, ensuring that every step aligns with broader goals. Employees are expected to fully understand and master their tasks before taking action. Decisions are made with careful consideration of risks and team dynamics, prioritizing group harmony over individual expression.
Managers take ownership of both successes and failures, paying close attention to detail and process. This creates a culture of reliability and discipline, though it may slow innovation if not balanced with flexibility. Autonomy here is earned through expertise and alignment, not assumed from the start.
Western Approach: Empowerment with Accountability
Western workplaces often place the team behind the wheel. Employees are encouraged to take initiative, solve problems independently, and own their results. Autonomy is closely tied to empowerment within clear boundaries, individuals are expected to be proactive and accountable.
Managers act more as facilitators than directors, focusing on outcomes rather than processes. They value transparency and initiative, preferring to be informed without micromanaging. While this fosters speed and innovation, it can sometimes feel unsupported or distant, especially when challenges arise.
What Westerners often miss about Japanese work culture
Western professionals may see Japanese caution as resistance to change. But it reflects a deep respect for preparation, expertise, and collective success. In Japan, failure mostly signals inadequate preparation.
Confidence is built through knowledge and experience, not self-belief. The culture values thoroughness over speed and team alignment over individual ambition.
Western employees may prioritize personal growth and quick decisions. Japanese teams may focus on precision and harmony. These differences can cause friction but also offer opportunities for growth.
At SEKISUI, we see these contrasts as complementary strengths. By learning from each other, we create a richer, more resilient workplace.
Managing across cultures: building autonomy together
To foster autonomy across cultures, managers must learn to ask the right questions and create space for ownership. Encouraging phrases like “Where can we improve this framework?” or “What obstacles do you see?” invite collaboration and initiative. Trusting employees to take the first step, while offering support and review, builds confidence and purpose. To attract and retain talent, we must evolve our management styles to be inclusive and adaptive.
SEKISUI: a culture of blended strengths
We don’t choose between Japanese and Western management styles: we blend them. Our teams learn to navigate both worlds, adapting their approaches to create a workplace that is not only functional but deeply enriching. By embracing cultural diversity, we foster innovation, resilience, and mutual respect.
Because when cultures mix, everyone grows.