Can you ask your boss, "What is the purpose of this?" Exploring ways to increase productivity from Denmark

Oh my.
I read many books this year, but I never expected to encounter one that would captivate me so much at the end of the year...!!

Last week, while I was doing some "bookstore strolling" at my favorite Maruzen main store, I saw it and added it to my "to-read list," but once I started reading it, I became so absorbed that I didn't even have time to check my smartphone (lol).

Actually, I'm still in the middle of reading it, but I've already had so many realizations that they wouldn't fit into a single post.

To begin with, what kind of country is Denmark?

It's a country in Northern Europe, roughly the same size as Kyushu, with a population smaller than that of Chiba Prefecture (roughly speaking).

But this small country is amazing.

On the other hand, what about Japan?

The economy is active and the infrastructure is well-maintained, but business and government efficiency are poor.
Am I the only one who feels like "the burden is being pushed onto people" just by looking at this ranking? (^_^;)

As the title suggests, it is normal for Danes to leave work at 4:00 PM (2:00 or 3:00 PM on Fridays!) to enjoy a nap or have dinner with their families.

Even with that kind of lifestyle, their productivity is incredibly high.

Priorities

The book introduces many initiatives that Danes take to increase productivity.
But at the root of it all, more than just how-tos, is the fact that "priorities are clear".

Things like, "I work to spend happy time with my family."

Or, "If I don't prioritize a healthy lifestyle, I can't do my job."

Because their priorities are clear, they don't pour energy into unnecessary things.

To protect "time with family," most people have the resolve to "leave at 4:00."

That is why they thoroughly eliminate "useless work" for each other, and also cut out unnecessary rules and approval processes.

I clearly remember how relieved I was a few years ago when my boss told me, "You're working to be a mom, right? Your children's events come first."

I wrote this article because my priorities have become even clearer than they were back then (lol).

Purpose-driven

In Denmark, it seems that when a boss asks a subordinate to do a task, they might sometimes get turned down.

Because every Dane is determined to 'go home at 4 o'clock,' they never do work where the purpose is unclear.

As long as the 'purpose' of the work is achieved, the method doesn't matter, so bosses don't ask subordinates for reports at every turn or engage in micromanagement.
Because everyone has a different way of working that is easier for them.

This is the exact opposite of Japan, isn't it?
In long-established Japanese companies, there is still a culture that places great importance on things like daily reports and meeting minutes.

I used to write meeting minutes every week at my previous job, but I don't think they were ever read once (lol).

After all, the root lies in education

As I read through the book, my interest was naturally drawn to 'education.'

Then, the book also touched briefly on 'education.'

The exact opposite!!

Japan tends to be an 'environment where failure is not permitted.'
There is absolutely no atmosphere of 'Let's try it even if we fail!' or 'Let's take on a challenge!'

I think this is what Tsutomu Uematsu wanted to convey in his TED talk.

Being instructed by a teacher.
Striving to be evaluated by someone.
Not doing things that might lead to failure. Not speaking up.

Principal Kudo often talks about 'In Europe...', and that is exactly right.

Children naturally have many things they want to try.
They don't need instructions.
Because adults bind them with rigid rules, they lose their autonomy and also lose sight of their purpose.
There is nothing sadder than that.

A book with so many lessons

Denmark, which is also a digitally advanced nation, is apparently a culture of email for everything.
Since even government notices never arrive by 'post,' the author says they haven't even checked their mailbox in about two months (lol).
It is exactly the kind of world I wrote about before.

This is unthinkable in Japan, isn't it?

If someone suggested abolishing the postal service in Japan, it would likely face fierce opposition from postal workers.
This inability to make a clean break is both a sign of Japanese kindness and likely the reason why we are being left further and further behind by the rest of the world.

Thinking about it that way, does the politics that creates Japan's rules really have to change?

Ah, I'm back to yesterday's article again (lol).

With that said, thank you for reading until the end.
Today is Friday!!
Everyone, until what time will you be working today? (^^)
May today be a day where your priorities are fulfilled.