Source: "The Swedes"

--

In Sweden, we try not to make anyone feel better or worse than others

We make people feel good

Good enough

Good enough is enough

If you are “too” good

You will feel a pressure to be just good enough

If you are struggling

The society will help you to be good enough

Those who achieve more than others are not often praised

Nor do we make those who lag behind feel like they are

We encourage, we help others

And at the end, no one should believe that they are better than others

Foreigners may find it challenging

Especially if used to a competitive society that pushes you to be best

Feedback is subtle in Sweden

Learn to interpret feedback in terms of what it means in the culture of those who give it to you

TIPS to foreigners: If you are unsure about the feedback you are receiving - just ask. Swedes will feel more comfortable to elaborate on their feedback if you ask precise questions on why you received such feedback.

TIPS to Swedes: Help foreigners understand you better - buy them "The Swedes"- it is a very cheap way to bridge culture in multicultural companies.

Source: "The Swedes" 

By Julien S. Bourrelle

Book a lecture on www.julien.tips 

Watch him on TED