「よしなに」: When the Boss Entrusts You with Full Confidence (and Pressure!)

Hello, fellow corporate warriors in Japan! 🎌

You're probably very familiar with the magic phrase「よろしくお願いします」(Yoroshiku onegaishimasu), right? But one day, you receive a request from your boss or a senior partner, and they end with a rather unfamiliar phrase: 「よしなに」(yoshinani).

「A社との件、あとはよしなにお願いします。」 (Regarding the matter with Company A, please handle the rest appropriately.)

At this point, you might be a little confused. What does "handle it appropriately" mean? What specifically should you do? 🧐 This is the moment you've stepped up to a new level in Japanese business communication!

✨ What is 「よしなに」?

Simply put, よしなに (yoshinani) means "do it in a suitable/appropriate way", "use your own judgment to handle it well", or in a more casual sense, "take care of it so it turns out fine."

It's a way for a superior (boss, client) to delegate a task to a subordinate without giving detailed instructions. The speaker trusts that the listener has enough ability, experience, and subtlety to judge the situation and find the best solution on their own.

💼 When is 「よしなに」 used?

This is a rather "old-fashioned" and formal word, so you'll rarely hear it in daily life, but mainly in a business environment. And most importantly:

• Only used by superiors to subordinates: A boss to an employee, a company to a partner they are a client of.
• Absolutely not used with superiors: If you say「部長、よしなにお願いします」to your manager... it's game over. 🥶

Real-life examples:

1. When arranging an appointment:

   Boss:「来週の出張の件、移動手段とホテル、よしなに手配しておいて。」 (Regarding next week's business trip, please arrange the transportation and hotel appropriately.) 👉 Implication: The boss trusts you to choose a suitable airline/train, book a convenient hotel near the meeting place, and balance the costs reasonably without having to ask about every single detail.

2. When resolving an issue with a customer:

   Manager:「お客様からのクレームの件、君に任せる。よしなに対応してくれ。」 (Regarding the complaint from the customer, I'm leaving it to you. Please handle it appropriately.) 👉 Implication: This is a real test! You need to use all your skills to satisfy the customer, from apologizing and finding a solution to reporting the results. The boss is testing your capabilities.

🤔 Both Trust and Pressure

On one hand, hearing your boss say「よしなに」is a great source of pride. It means your abilities have been recognized, and you've been entrusted with autonomy. 🎉

However, on the other hand, it's also significant pressure. Because there are no clear instructions, the entire responsibility for the outcome rests on you. If you do well, you'll score big. If you don't, you can't blame it on "unclear instructions from the boss."

So, when you receive a「よしなに」request, take a deep breath, trust your experience, and do your best. It's a sign that you're making rapid progress in your career in Japan! 😉