The Swedish Theory of Love

A few weeks ago, I watched the documentary The Swedish Theory of Love by Erik Gandini, and it left a strong impression on me. Recently, during one of my conversations with various individuals and groups, the film came back to my mind. Maybe it was a specific phrase, an attitude, or a statement that triggered it. Regardless of the reason, it's a documentary I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

You can watch the film here: The Swedish Theory of Love.

The film explores Sweden's welfare system, which gives us the ability to be more self-sufficient than many other countries. It’s a system and a political goal that emerged in the 1970s, aimed at ensuring that no adult has to depend on their relatives. It's an impressive achievement, but it also comes with a cost: we can be quite lonely. This is one of the intriguing aspects the film highlights.

My own upbringing in Greece and my years in Sweden have taught me that the two countries are polar opposites. When I arrived in Sweden as a 24-year-old student, I admired the structure and organization of the Swedish university system and society at large. I experienced an academic system that, if not perfect, was at least nearly so—something my friends back in Greece could only dream of. At the same time, I struggled to grasp the social codes here.

In the documentary, a surgeon is interviewed who became weary of the Swedish bureaucracy and moved to Ethiopia. There, in a field hospital, he operates on patients daily under simple conditions, using basic tools. This demonstrates that even without a huge budget and extensive administration, effective work can still be done.

There are several lessons to be learned from the documentary:

• Even when we are strong and independent, we pay a price for it.
• Delivering results doesn’t require an enormous budget and a vast administrative system, but rather focus, creativity, and efficiency.
• There’s a biological reward in fighting alongside others and overcoming challenges.
• Being alone is not the same as being strong.

This documentary challenges us to reflect on the balance between independence and connection. While the Swedish model of self-sufficiency has its strengths, it also reveals the hidden costs of isolation. It serves as a powerful reminder that true strength often lies in our relationships and our ability to collaborate, not just in our individual capabilities.

For those of us working in large organizations, this message is particularly relevant. Amidst the complexity and bureaucracy, we mustn’t lose sight of the value of teamwork and human connection. Efficiency and results come not just from systems and structures, but from the creativity and collective spirit of people working together.