Shikake (Not a Type of Mushroom)
Shikake (not a mushroom that is sometimes fabulously mispronounced) is a Japanese word that literally means a device or system but describes using design to shape behaviours subtly. For example, footprints painted (together to denote standing) on one side of an escalator so you know which side to stand/walk on.
In the book “Shikake, the Japanese Art of Shaping Behavior Through Design,” Naohiro Matsumura explains that effective shikake should be simple, low-maintenance, and invite action without forcing it. The table below borrows from the book to describe a cost-benefit analysis for the examples used (plus a little more), which might help summarise the general concept.
For those of us in risk, compliance, or generally trying to shape ethical behaviour, it might help to explore these basic concepts (from the first chapter). Specifically, how might we:
💡 Use subtle environmental cues rather than direct orders to shape behaviour.
💡 Make desired behaviours easy and appealing rather than mandated.
💡 Design solutions that are simple and sustainable long-term.
We might not have time and space to address each construct in detail in one newsletter, so let’s pick one from each topic. With some help, we found examples of existing shikake (lite) people have used in risk (can’t give away all my ideas for free!), so there shouldn’t be anything revelatory here:
Environmental cues: In digital platforms, colour schemes and layouts that evoke calmness and clarity can reduce stress and anxiety, influencing moral choices. Or, taking it a step further, implement a colour-coded system within existing documentation or digital platforms where specific actions or decisions are highlighted with colours that signify ethical considerations (e.g., green for compliant actions, yellow for caution).
Make desired behaviours easy: Develop templates for common decision-making scenarios (e.g., expense approvals, supplier onboarding, hiring processes) that include built-in prompts. We see this already in online banking, where details for new payees are run against available corporate and banking data to ensure their accuracy and legitimacy.
Design solutions that are simple and sustainable: One-click processes (e.g., speak-up/whistleblower frameworks). Over Christmas, I bought some gifts online. One website was terrible; it required four pages of clicks and confirmation. I know, the horror. We’ve become spoiled by swipes on phones and simple checkouts. Make it simple whenever we want people to contact or engage with us.
These examples are intentionally bland. I avoided the “make compliance fun” stuff or using fabulous design. That might work if your organisation has an innately ethical culture. But if not, focusing on pain removal is a better start than ethics walls, ethical leadership boards, and other ‘fun’ suggestions we found while researching.