Danish Business Culture is it really as sweet as it sounds?
For the past three years, I have been hearing stories from my friends who travel and study abroad that I must visit Copenhagen. They tell me how happy everyone is there, how wonderful the food is, that this country has everything figured out. Denmark was voted one of the happiest countries in the world. I was eager for this lesson because it finally allowed me to double down on research and figure this out for myself.
Denmark is a kingdom located in the Netherlands there are only 5 million citizens 4 million of which live in the capital of Copenhagen. Denmark’s political structure consists of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. Denmark has one of the highest tax brackets in the world which makes its welfare system one of the best. Education and Medicare are free for all residents.
What really fascinated me was the business culture. While in the United States it’s not uncommon to be confident and cocky. In Denmark, it is taboo to overshare and boost one’s success. They believe that there should be a common equality and that boasting one’s success can be demeaning to others or intimidate others, this is seen as a potential setback for future success. It is also frowned upon to make jokes at others expenses especially to demean women.
Danes do not promote a culture of hierarchy and as a result, in a meeting, everyone gets a handshake and only your name is given not a title. Danes traditionally dress down as to not promote hierarchy as well. A modest blazer or button up is appropriate. Women are welcomed in meetings in Denmark but still have a ways to go. Based on previous lessons women are more welcomed in business in Denmark than elsewhere. Women work high ranking positions and as a result, Denmark being a progressive country has responded by having daycare facilities in the office.
Denmark’s office structure is one America is slowly adopting. Denmark’s offices value a culture of rest and focus. Most of the offices in Copenhagen feature big windows, large cafeterias, libraries, gyms, recreational rooms, and daycares. Allowing people to de-stress and focus on innovation. This is drastically different than America’s fluorescent-lit cubicles and water coolers. Danes value vibrant innovation and equality.
My question is with a culture so focused on innovation and equality that doesn’t celebrate individual success isn’t that in itself stunting? If are afraid to share your ideas at the risk of being too confident that will not drive you to keep wanting to improve. That’s where the United States is the outlier. I don’t want to sound too political but in my opinion, the United States is unequal and one must work to attain greatness and innovation. We encourage one another to be better, be stronger, and to think bigger because doing so brings this country better innovation and brings the person a better life. Being confident and working to be the best is what the United States is all about. By being our best we benefit everybody and that’s what makes our country the best in the world. We should foster the innovative and creative spaces that the Danes have done so well, but we should also encourage them to not be afraid to shine and be better and not be afraid to be proud.
References:
aun72 says
I really enjoyed reading your post because hierarchy is not just about telling people what to do. It is about appreciating and acknowledging the accomplishments of one another through promotions and incentives. We are also fostering innovation by accepting new ideas celebrating them through promotions.
However, I do have a high level of appreciation for this statement you made in that, “Based on previous lessons women are more welcomed in business in Denmark than elsewhere. Women work high ranking positions and as a result, Denmark being a progressive country has responded by having daycare facilities in the office”. This is something we have been trying to improve in several countries in order to decrease gender stratification in the workforce. In order to further the level of progression in Denmark, that particular society must realize that hierarchy has a positive connotation and should not necessarily be looked down upon. Great job this week.
Renata Hoffstetter says
Hi,
You are right in pointing out contrasting business cultures between Denmark and the United States. It is definitely a very debatable topic and rich in many different opinions. The stark difference is in happiness with Denmark being in the top three, as you noted, the US trailing at number 18 (http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2018/).
I would also like to bring to your attention that Denmark is NOT a kingdom located in the Netherlands. Denmark is a Scandinavian country comprising the Jutland Peninsula and numerous islands. Scandinavia is a term that commonly includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The term “Nordic countries” is used unambiguously for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, including their associated territories country. The Netherlands (another country) is located in northwestern Europe with a capital in Amsterdam.
In addition, I like to point out that a statement “Education and Medicare are free for all residents” from your post is misleading. The access to healthcare is mostly free, however, it is paid for a very heavy individual income tax burden, one of the highest in the world, which you noted.
Overall, I think your post provokes further thought and discussion, in which your goal is acheived.
Madeline "BigAngel" Escobar says
Hi, I really enjoyed reading your post! Denmark sounds so fascinating and intriguing. You did such an amazing job at describing it, you gave me a vivid picture that I am now eager to go visit and see it myself. It really is amazing to see the cultural differences between the often pompous US vs. other countries, it would be kind of refreshing if the United States, would take the lead or example from the Danes. However, as you stated in your last paragraph about being confident and working to be the best one can possibly be. Yes, I agree that is what the United States is all about.
I do share the same sentiment with you about the United States learning from the Danes. But I must admit, I like how modest the Danes are, modesty is a good thing and a little self promotion does not hurt either. Thanks again for such a great post! I really enjoyed it!
Madeline