Living with Vikings by Kirsten Weiss Kirsten is a Danish author and she has interviewed international CEOs working in Denmark about their experience with Scandinavian people. Maybe you recognize some of their experiences?
Denmark and the soft Nordic values – at least when they have recovered from the first cultural chock (laugh). However, it seems their appreciation of the Danish workplace culture is not being heard or welcomed as much as it should. Interestingly, Danes are very self-critical, but they are not very good at accepting criticism from outside. I am concerned that it can become a problem in terms of our ability to innovate, getting new ideas and inspiration. We need to be able to open up to different ways of thinking or working. Danes are known for being very direct in their communication. Do you think that this also applies for criticism? It is one of the paradoxes of the culture. On the one side, you have a very democratic work culture where everyone has to be heard and consulted before a decision is taken, as well as a direct tone that might make you believe that you can speak as directly and freely as you wish.
Kirsten, why this book Living with Vikings? I wrote a first book, When Vikings Clash – Why Scandinavian Companies Have a Tough Time Working with Each Other, which emphasized the cultural differences between Scandinavian companies from a business perspective. While writing this book, I had the opportunity to talk to international CEOs working at companies in Denmark. It was truly enlightening to listen to their experiences of Nordic workplaces, and I wanted to share it with my compatriots. There is a hype concerning Scandinavian leadership and workplace right now, and a lot is being written and said about us. For instance, we are the “world champions in trust”, but does it apply to anyone at the workplace or is it mostly among other Nordic colleagues? How do we interact with international colleagues? How good are we at receiving new ideas and potentially, criticism? Let me underline that most of the international CEOs I’ve been talking to are very positive about
On the other side, from the experience of the CEOs I have interviewed, criticism from outside is not welcomed, especially if direct. So, what should you do as a foreigner? You really have to pay attention there. Give it some time. In Danish, we say: “stikke en finger i jorden” (or put your fingers in the ground, hence “test the waters”). First, you have to find out how things work in your team or within your organization; How do people come with criticism or suggestions? Another Danish expression you may find useful is: “Man må hyle med de ulve, man er iblandt”, which means “one must howl with the wolves one is among” – equivalent to “When in Rome, do as the Romans”. It means that you should start by learning how this group functions and then consider your strategy. Eventually, I will recommend you not to start by telling Danes how things are different, more efficient or better where you come from. You will see them closing up like flowers at sunset.