What is success?
Defining success from a Swedish perspective is a little difficult. Succeeding in Sweden does not revolve around work but rather family and personal life. That is not to say that doing well in your career is not important, it just is more ambiguous. For example, being a successful working Swede is living “logom”. Which essentially means just enough. Not working too little, or too much, but enough. There is not a benefit to getting work done early and being a workaholic. To be a successful employee is to work just enough.
Ideal Employee
In Sweden, the ideal employee is collaborative, humble, and self-directed, contributing to the team’s success without seeking the spotlight. They work well in flat hierarchies, listen actively, and value consensus over individual dominance. Trust is key managers expect them to manage their own time, meet deadlines without micromanagement, and take initiative when needed. Communication is thoughtful and calm, with comfort in pauses and an emphasis on constructive input. They also maintain a strong work-life balance, staying fully engaged during work hours but respecting personal time, vacations, and the importance of recharging—reflecting Sweden’s belief that a well-rested employee is a better one.
Differences
Working in Sweden has been a been a big contrast to my experience in the US. In the US, work culture often moves at a faster, more competitive pace. There’s a strong emphasis on individual achievement, quick turnarounds, and a “go the extra mile” mindset. Sometimes at the expense of work-life balance. In meetings, it’s common to speak up quickly, pitch ideas with enthusiasm, and try to make decisions on the spot. There is a great emphasis on going above and beyond for the workplace. In the. US we also live to work, compared to Sweden were they work to live.
In Sweden, the pace feels more calm and collaborative. Decisions often involve consensus, which can take more time but ensures that everyone is on board. People value equality in the workplace. Titles exist, but hierarchies are less common, and it’s normal for a junior employee to speak up just as much as a senior manager. Meetings here often start with small talk, but once the discussion begins, the focus is clear, efficient communication. There’s also a cultural comfort with silence while people think. This is something I had to get used to after working in the US, where silence in a meeting can feel awkward. There is less pressure overall in the work environment here.
Work-life balance is another striking difference. In Sweden, leaving on time is the norm, not a sign of slacking. Taking all your vacation days is expected, and “fika” breaks (coffee with colleagues) are built into the day, not seen as wasted time. In the US, it’s more common to work late, check emails after hours, and feel guilty for taking too much time off.
For the last week in Sweden there was a lot I wanted to make sure I saw. My friends and I planned a couple trips for this weekend to make sure we got everything. Saturday we went to Skansen which is a park in Stockholm. We had been waiting to go there as a final trip. It was a cross between a park and a zoo. Prior to leaving from Skansen I had gotten a matcha that was absolutely awful. Although it did rain unfortunately and it was incredibly hot and humid. Later that week my roommate and I went back to beach just the two of us. We did not swim but we did relax and enjoy it. While it was not the hottest weather it was a great final beach day. Our final act during the week was all related to food. My friends and I got dinner at a restaurant in Gamla Stan. Truly one of the best pizzas I have had. The final group thing for the program was a farewell dinner. While the potatoes were good, the steak was not so yummy. I have a very stressful end of week coming up and I am not excited.