Manners are important – what do they say ‘manners maketh man’, right?
Which is why politeness is generally seen as a good quality in a person.
But if politeness is getting the way of getting things done then maybe we encourage …
‘Bespreekbaarheid’.
It’s a word the Dutch use to describe their straightforward and direct nature.
A rough translation would be ‘speakability’.
The Dutch believe that anything and everything is open to discussion. That opinions should be expressed without reservation. And everyone should be free to speak their mind.
And that applies to the workplace as well.
No one walks on eggshells in a Dutch company!
So people don’t feel that they have to agree to something just to be polite or agreeable …
And then let you know what they really thought later, by not following through and taking action.
Of course, ‘bespreekbaarheid’ is part of the Dutch psyche.
You can’t just call a meeting tomorrow morning and tell everyone that you want them to start being more straightforward and direct. You have to create an environment where people feel that it’s safe to do so, because it is actually safe to do so.
Smart CEOs strive to create an environment of trust. The paradox is that over-politeness can destroy trust.
And don’t forget, you may have to teach people how to be appropriately straightforward and direct.
Or all that politeness might just turn into outright rudeness.
As always, leading by example is the way forward here.
So from now on, whenever you hear the crunch of those eggshells … try being a little more ‘appropriately straightforward and direct’.