Danish Leadership Style in a Global Context

The article is based on a survey sent out to 15 different international organizations. Danish and foreign leaders within those companies have in interviews explained their own views of Danish leadership style in a global context. We have to be aware about the fact that the article doesn’t define which companies are represented.

Perception of Danish Leadership Style

Both the Danish and foreign leaders were told to explain, what distinguishes Danish leaders from other. In the survey both parties mention that everyone in Denmark is equal, even if your rank is different. They have a flat, decentralized culture with low power distance, where it is expected to express your own opinion in a informal way. The importance of empowering and delegation is huge, and Danish leaders trust their employees.

Foreign leaders also percept Danish leaders as respectful, direct in their communication and very good to achieve a work-life-balance.

All of it comes down to the following five characteristics: of Danish leader: Democratic, equality-orientated, informal, trusting and open. Furthermore, Danish leader see themselves as very effective and quick to adjust to new environment and people.

Foreign leaders also percept Danish leaders as very direct in their communication, while still being respectful. They also feel that Danish leaders are very good to achieve a work-life-balance, and in the same time, they respect for privacy and a life outside work.

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Adjustment of Leadership Style
When using a Danish leadership style, the respondents find both positive and negative consequences. The style helps the employees to drive themselves and be independent, which make them more efficient. They are also good at asking questions and see things from different perspectives, which lead to creativity and innovation.
But when using informal communication in a global context, messages sometimes become implicit rather than explicit, because the other party are used to a more formal approach. It can in several ways be difficult to be an employee, when you are suddenly expected to ask questions and find out everything yourself. The Danish approach is often perceived as lacking authority from the leader, which several cultures are missing.
Because of the negative factors and the different perceptions between cultures, Danish leaders need to adjust their leadership style in certain environments. For a Danish leader, it is therefor important to be able to change your communication approach. Mainly they should focus within four areas. In some situations, it may suit more to be formal, use a more hierarchical approach, be more closed and be more autocratic. It is all based on the situation and time is a very central dimension in this matter.

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Reference: Staub-Bauer, Andrea (08.08.2015). "Danish Leadership Styæe in a Global Context". Confederation of Danish Industry, Industriens Fond, CBS. Di.dk: https://di.dk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Global%20Leadership%20Academy/Danish%20Leadership%20Style%20in%20a%20Global%20Perspective_210x280_WEB.pdf