What you’re referring to is called nemawashi in Japan , literally “digging around the roots of a tree”. It’s formal business etiquette understood by all office

What you’re referring to is called nemawashi in Japan , literally “digging around the roots of a tree”. It’s formal business etiquette understood by all office workers. One shouldn’t blurt out ideas to an unprepared group, but spread the idea around before especially to the superior. If they reject the idea they don’t have to embarrass you in front of others, or lose face in public for being taken by surprise.