Dimension 7 of 11
D7: Lifestyle
Is a life well spent measured in what you finish, or in who you spend it with? Understand it, and a lot of workplace friction starts to make sense.
What is Lifestyle?
Lifestyle describes whether a culture treats social commitments and quality of life as equally important to finishing tasks, or puts task completion first, with a clear line between work and personal life. Neither end is better. Each answers, “What is a good day for?”
Two ends of one spectrum
Being
Social commitments and task completion are equally important, and the boundary between personal and work life is diffuse. Relationship and quality of life are not sacrificed for productivity.
Doing
Task completion takes precedence over social commitments, with a clear separation between personal and work activities. Productivity and achievement measure a life well spent.
Three ways to live
Being and Doing show up in policy, in workplaces, and in family life. Here are three examples.
Nordic Europe: work to live
One of the strongest Being clusters. Most Nordic businesses close in July, Swedish employees get five weeks of paid vacation, and family leave is the most generous of any cluster.
Latin America: family first
One of the most Being-oriented clusters in the world. Family takes clear precedence over work, and supervisors are often expected to attend employees’ family functions.
Anglo and Germanic Europe: Doing
Both sit at the Doing end. Actions speak louder than words, and punctuality and results organize the day.
Three things to keep in mind
1. Two measures of a good day
Nordic cultures believe in working to live. Most businesses close for July. Don’t read someone leaving at five as lack of commitment.
2. Family can outrank the schedule
In Latin America, family takes clear precedence over work. Build slack into plans so family obligations don’t break them.
3. Long hours aren’t universally admired
Doing cultures admire a twelve-hour day; a Nordic colleague may read it as incompetence. Talk about results, not hours.
Lifestyle, from the pages and the screen
Being feels like
Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter), entirely unbothered by productivity for its own sake.
Doing feels like
Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), defined by constant productive activity.
Doing feels like
Almanzo Wilder (Farmer Boy), defined by disciplined, skilled labor.
Take the one-page D7 guide with you
A free, printable Culture-Ready Guide to Lifestyle: the two ends of the spectrum, a world map, three key principles, character cameos, and quick Do’s and Don’ts. Grab it free, along with all 11 Dimension guides.
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Centered • Curious • Considerate • Confident
Dimension 7 of the 11 Dimensions of Culture