Leadership in Action: In Focus - Leadership Styles - If It's Lagom, This Must be Sweden

UNIQUE APPROACH

Ten Swedish leaders from various industries were interviewed recently and asked about their leadership styles. Of the ten, eight strongly believed that there is a distinct Swedish leadership approach to managing. Sweden is unique in its dual philosophy of individualism and collectivism, a philosophy that provides a basis for team success. In contrast, a purely individualistic emphasis, as often embodied in North American practice, leads to the sacrifice of team goals, whereas a purely collectivist view can lead to mediocrity. A team consists of individuals, and if these individuals do not function effectively, the team also will not function effectively. For example, when measuring results, it doesn't matter if one out of ten ...