Kay Xander MellishExpert on Danish business culture

Danish management philosophy: Why Danes ask so many questions

3 Aug 2023 · 1 min

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1:07

Danes ask constant questions because their education system trains them to. Foreign managers often find it exhausting or feel personally attacked, but it signals genuine investment in the work. Worry only when the questions stop.

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Danes are brought up to ask questions. It's a key part of the Danish educational system and the basis of Danish innovation culture. But it can be a bit much for some newly arrived foreign managers. They feel they're constantly being challenged just because they're not Danish. Other times they can feel that they don't have time to answer all these questions. They can say, look, I'm under pressure, I've got a long to-do list, I cannot sit around and explain every single thing to you. If you're an international manager, don't be intimidated by the Danish culture of asking questions. It means that they are invested in the project. The time to worry is when they stop asking questions.