By Chris Smit

Different Roles in Different Cultures

I like the saying an ex-colleague introduced me to: “We all do the same things, just differently”. In other words, we all eat, drink and sleep, but what we eat, when we eat, how we eat, and even why we eat is culturally determined.

This is also true when it comes to the managing of people in organizations and matters like leadership.

Basically, there are four types of management styles.

  • Autocratic (e.g. “Get me coffee now!”)
  • Paternalistic (e.g. “You know it’s a good idea if you got me coffee. Now!”)
  • Consultative (e.g. “I would like some coffee; how do you think we can organize that”?)
  • Democratic (e.g. “Who is in favor of coffee; let me see a show of hands… And who thinks John should get it?”)

Autocratic management is generally the perception we get – fed through the media – about, for instance, Russia. Or the dictator running North Korea.

Paternalistic management is found in countries that have a strong hierarchy – like France, Belgium, South America and Asia.

And you probably guessed it; consultative management is found in the Netherlands (not only in the Netherlands, of course; also in Germany, the UK – all countries with a weak(er) hierarchy).

And, finally, democratic management is not really a style of management. At least not for organizations or corporations.

Why the Why?

Have you ever wondered why, when a manager asks a Dutch co-worker to do something, the Dutch co-worker almost always replies with “Why?”.

This is because, in the eyes of the subordinate, his boss is not really the boss. His boss simply does a different kind of different work and certainly shouldn’t think he’s the boss.

And since every Dutchman has an opinion, even if they don’t have one, the subordinate will want to know why his boss wants him to do something and whether this should be discussed or not – in case he might actually have an opinion. In other words, consultative management. As the case may be, initiated and demanded by the subordinate.

What Do You Think?

While in countries with a relatively strong hierarchy, you will find the boss announcing what has been decided either by him or by his boss. In the Netherlands this will not happen as it has a relatively weak hierarchy.

Most Dutch people complain about the fact that it takes too long for a decision to be taken – yet if there is a strong, decisive, even paternalistic manager who is trying to impose his decision, the Dutch will object –  if not revolt.

In the Netherlands, the manager is expected to involve his or her people in the decision-making process. Even the generally quiet people should be asked their opinion. If the manager wants to cut corners and enforce his decision, his Dutch colleagues will not be in agreement with this.

The Answer to the Question

So, the answer to the initial question in this article (“What’s the role of a Dutch manager in the office?”) is multi-faceted. A Dutch manager does not have to be knowledgeable about everything that is going on in the organization. There is a general belief that he can limit himself to knowing stuff when he actually needs to know that stuff.

The Dutch manager is expected to consult with everyone who is a potential stakeholder in any decision he would like to make. If he doesn’t, his colleagues (and subordinates) will make sure he does. He certainly should not think he is anything or anybody special – even if he is an expert and/or has a proven track record in his field of expertise. There is a famous Dutch saying that works really well here: “Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg” (simply act normal, that is crazy enough).

And to get the most out of his or her people, it is crucially important that the Dutch manager simply create a pleasant working atmosphere. A plant here, a cup of coffee there. A place where there is a lot of individual freedom for the employees. And not too much work pressure.

So, there you have it. The blue-print for a successful Dutch management style. I’d be really interested if you could let me know if you think this will be of any help to you.

Want to better understand the Dutch and learn how to work with them? Get in touch with Chris Smit at https://culturematters.com or write an email at chris.smit@culturematters.com.

Article Page Half Page Ad

Recently Posted on XPat.nl

If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst … Continue reading "The Difference Between a Resume and a CV"
Have you been in the Netherlands for a while and are you craving a change of scenery? No worries, because there’s lots of vibrant cities just a few hours away. In Germany and Belgium for example. Here, you can get a taste of the local food and different cultures without getting on a plane. In … Continue reading "Exploring across the Dutch border: visit these must-see cities!"
As an expat in the Netherlands, there might be a couple of traditions that will surprise you. One of the most common ones is Sinterklaas: a children’s holiday that kind of resembles Christmas. However, Sinterklaas comes with a lot of different customs and expressions you might not know about. Because of this, we’ll give you … Continue reading "Everything you need to know about celebrating Sinterklaas"
Buying a house in the Netherlands may work a bit differently to what you are used to. There are different rules and laws, different types of mortgage and financing, etc. Read the tips and be prepared for when you begin your search. Hiring an estate agent: good idea or not? Hiring estate agents costs money, … Continue reading "Be prepared for the Dutch housing market"
Living in the Netherlands as an expat is exciting, but also comes with challenges. There’s a lot of new things you need to figure out: learning the Dutch language, all the traffic rules (and riding a bike) and how the healthcare system works. If you have an older relative that is moving to the Netherlands … Continue reading "Home care in the Netherlands: how does it work?"
Rising mortgage interest rates can have a significant impact on homebuyers and homeowners. The average interest rate for a fixed-rate mortgage in the Netherlands is currently around 4%. As interest rates increase, the cost of borrowing money to purchase or refinance a home also increases. This can make it more difficult for potential homebuyers to … Continue reading "Mortgage Interest Rates in the Netherlands in 2024"

Be prepared for the Dutch housing m ...

Buying a house in the Netherlands may work a bit differently to what you are ...

Dutch Taxes

Taxes are always complicated. If you have moved to the Netherlands from another country they ...

30 ruling Netherlands

Dutch 30%-ruling Tax Facility

The 30%-ruling is a tax advantage, created for employees who are posted or recruited ...

Obtaining a Mortgage as an Expat in ...

Obtaining a mortgage as an expat in the Netherlands can be a complex process, as ...

Banking made easy with ABN AMRO

When preparing to live in another country, you are instantly faced with the hurdles of ...

Four Legal Differences You Need to ...

Relocating to any country is a big step. Aside from all the cultural differences and ...

Patchwork Family

‘Patchwork families’ are families made up of parents and children, whereby one – or both – of ...

Mortgage, Liability and Marriage

You must be wondering: what’s the connection between the words in the title? I ...

Estate Planning: Is That What We’ ...

Don’t we all want the best for our children? We provide them with a ...

New Alimony Law as an Emancipation ...

On the 21st of May 2019, the Dutch parliament voted to review the law for ...