The Better Me for a Better World: How can I or my organization embrace more vulnerability and authenticity? -? And why that makes me happier.

Have you ever wondered if there is a correlation between embracing vulnerability and authenticity, and happiness? Studies have shown that countries that value these traits tend to have higher levels of happiness and well-being. In fact, a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that countries with a culture that values openness, honesty, and transparency have higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

For example, Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas, has developed a Gross National Happiness index that prioritizes social welfare, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. This has helped create a culture where people feel supported and valued, leading to high levels of happiness and well-being

With all of this in mind, living in this world and Paris with so much unrest, strikes and literal trash mountains around us, I have been pondering about the intersection of well-being and how comfortable we feel to show up as our full selves.

One framework that can shed light on these cultural differences is Geert Hofstede’s six dimensions of culture.

1. Power distance: This dimension refers to the extent to which people in a culture accept and expect unequal distribution of power and authority.
2. Individualism vs. collectivism: This dimension reflects the degree to which people prioritize individual vs. group interests.
3. Masculinity vs. femininity: This dimension describes the degree to which a culture values traditionally "masculine" traits like competitiveness and assertiveness vs. "feminine" traits like empathy and cooperation.
4. Uncertainty avoidance: This dimension reflects the degree to which a culture is comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
5. Long-term vs. short-term orientation: This dimension describes the extent to which a culture values long-term planning and investment vs. immediate results.
6. Indulgence vs. restraint: This dimension refers to the degree to which a culture values self-gratification and indulgence vs. self-control and restraint.

According to this framework, countries like the Nordic countries, which rank high in Hofstede’s dimensions of Individualism, however, low in Masculinity, and Uncertainty Avoidance, tend to also score high in embracing vulnerability and authenticity, and rank high in the Gross National Happiness index. Particularly Sweden, Finland and Denmark score high on individualism and femininity, and have strong social welfare systems that prioritize equality and support for all members of society. This has helped create a culture where people are comfortable admitting their mistakes, asking for help, and being open about their feelings and experiences.

On the other hand, countries like France and Japan, which rank high in Hofstede’s dimensions of Power Distance and Long-Term Orientation, tend to have cultures that are more hierarchical and focused on maintaining tradition and social order, France and Japan have historically placed a greater emphasis on power distance, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance and in effect tend to discourage openness and vulnerability, leading to lower levels of happiness and well-being. France, in particular, has a culture that values pride and honor, which can make it difficult for people to admit their mistakes or show vulnerability. Japan, on the other hand, has a culture that values stoicism and self-control, which can make it difficult for people to express their emotions and connect with others on a deeper level. In fact, Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, which is often linked to a culture that values conformity and suppresses individual expression.

These cultural differences have a significant impact on levels of happiness and well-being in different societies.

So which dimensions create more well-being, and which tend to make us unhappier?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, research suggests that certain combinations of cultural dimensions may be associated with higher levels of well-being.

For example, the combination of high individualism, low power distance, and high gender equality has been found to be associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness. This is because individualistic cultures prioritize personal autonomy, self-expression, and freedom, while low power distance and high gender equality help to promote a sense of fairness and social justice.

Similarly, cultures that score high on collectivism and emphasize strong social support networks may also be associated with higher levels of well-being, as they promote a sense of social belonging and interconnectedness.

The following four traits are associated with a decrease of well-being:

1. High power distance: Cultures that value hierarchical authority and social inequality may be associated with lower levels of well-being, as they can limit personal autonomy and create a sense of powerlessness among less powerful members of society.

2. High uncertainty avoidance: Cultures that value predictability and structure may be associated with lower levels of well-being, as they can limit opportunities for growth and exploration and create a sense of anxiety and fear of the unknown.

3. High collectivism: While collectivist cultures can promote a sense of social belonging and support, they can also create pressure to conform to group norms and limit individual autonomy, which may be associated with lower levels of well-being.

4. Low gender equality: Cultures that value traditional gender roles and limit opportunities for women may be associated with lower levels of well-being, as they can limit access to education, economic opportunities, and social power for women.

Gender differences.

It's important to note that vulnerability and authenticity can also be abused in the wrong settings, especially when power dynamics are at play. For example, women are often expected to be more vulnerable and emotional than men, which can lead to these traits being dismissed or taken advantage of. This is why it's important to create safe spaces where vulnerability can be expressed without fear of judgement or exploitation.

The Better Me for a Better World: How can I/ my organization embrace more vulnerability and authenticity?

For organizations and companies, it's important to create a culture of openness and feedback, where employees are encouraged to speak up and share their ideas and concerns. Leaders can set the tone by modeling vulnerability themselves and actively listening to their employees with 10x benefits on well-being and also creativity and impact. As an example, Google is well known for their use of brainstorming sessions and promoting a culture where no idea is a bad idea. They have even coined the term "10x thinking" to describe their approach of coming up with ideas that are ten times better than what already exists. Google encourages their employees to be vulnerable and open about their ideas, and to not be afraid of failure. This has led to some of their most successful products, such as Gmail and Google Maps.

Other companies, such as Apple and Amazon, also use brainstorming sessions as a way to encourage creativity and innovation. These sessions are often facilitated by trained professionals and follow a set of guidelines to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to share their ideas.

Overall, promoting a culture of vulnerability and openness to new ideas can lead to increased innovation and success for companies.

For families, it's important to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing their emotions and learning from their mistakes. Parents can model vulnerability by admitting their own mistakes and apologizing when necessary, and by actively listening to their children's concerns and feedback.

I would love some of your input on the following questions:

1. Can Hofstede's cultural dimension of low individualism and high power distance in France help explain the current strikes and a potential lack of trust between the government and the people?
2. Could the collective mentality of "us vs them" in French society contribute to a more violent and confrontational approach to expressing grievances, such as through strikes and protests?
3. In what ways might a culture that values vulnerability and authenticity, like those in the Nordic countries, lead to more effective and peaceful approaches to resolving conflicts and addressing social issues and inspire other countries, such as France and Japan?
4. How can organizations and individuals encourage a culture of vulnerability and authenticity while also being mindful of the potential for exploitation or abuse?
5. How can gender differences in the perception and expression of vulnerability be addressed in order to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals?

Rooting for you,

Santa

Santa Meyer-Nandi

https://calendly.com/santameyernandi/30min?back=1&month=2023-04

www.santameyernandi.com

www.findingsustainia.com