Why the Dutch Are So Successful

Unlocking Success: Discover the Dutch Advantage

Windmills, clogs, bicycles and tulips. When one thinks about the Netherlands these picturesque scenes come to mind. However, beyond the idyllic imagery, the Dutch possess a practical and innovative spirit that contributes to their global influence. Let Taalthuis guide you in learning why understanding the Dutch and speaking even a little Dutch could be key to tapping into the Dutch genius.

International Influence Beyond Expectations

For example, the International Court of Justice (Internationaal strafhof) is located in the Netherlands. You would think that this main body of the United Nations is located in metropolises such as New York or London, but this is in The Hague. The Netherlands serves therefore as a beacon of fairness and equality (eerlijkheid en gelijkheid) worldwide.

The Dutch Are Good at Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship (ondernemerschap) is a flourishing culture in the Netherlands. But what does that mean? Entrepreneurship is identifying opportunities in the market. Both for existing and new products or services. Someone has to take action and dare to take risks. The Dutch have an innovative spirit. That is why they are good at entrepreneurship. Maybe even better than other countries. The question now is: why is the Netherlands so successful?

To Make Compromises; Polderen

The Netherlands (Nederland) means the Low Countries. And water flows from high to low. In the past, people therefore had to pump water away from the land. The land that became dry was called ‘polder’. During this work, people had to negotiate a lot and make compromises. For example, about dividing borders. Compromising means you have to give but you can also take. ‘Polderen’ is now a new word for making compromises and negotiating. It remains an important part of Dutch life. For example, when doing business, but also in politics because in the Netherlands, the government consists of different political parties.

Lack of Hierarchy

In contrast to countries like America or Japan, hierarchy plays a minimal role in Dutch daily life. The Dutch belief in equality and the importance of every individual’s opinion contributes to the success of their society. Maybe your boss is in the same room as you, and not in a separate office. Or your boss asks for your opinion on some decisions, dropping the question: ‘Wat vind jij?’ What makes the Netherlands so successful is its belief in equality (gelijkheid) and that everyone’s opinion matters.

The Dutch Like to Be Direct

The Dutch are known for their direct nature, valuing honesty and transparency (eerlijkheid en openheid) in both business and social interactions. So maybe someone interrupts you during a meeting if they don’t like your idea. This openness extends to public spaces where discussions about personal matters are common, reflecting a cultural aversion to hiding. You can also recognize this openness by the large open windows without curtains. The only subjects that Dutch people do not like to talk about openly are money and salary.

Good Transport Makes Things Faster

Excellent public transport and infrastructure make commuting easy. Business goes better and faster when goods are transported easily and quickly. Dutch transport is among the best in the world. The port of Rotterdam has been an important place for hundreds of years.

Even though we have a very good infrastructure, traffic can still be quite congested if it suddenly freezes or snows. Fortunately, that doesn't happen that often. Although many Dutch people hope that it will freeze hard more often so that we can organize another great ‘Elfstedentocht’ . This tour, the Eleven Cities Tour is a skating tour along eleven cities of Friesland, a province in the north of the Netherlands.

Excellent Language Proficiency

And the last and certainly not least quality of the Dutch we would like to point out is that they speak their languages well. Hardly anyone outside the Netherlands speaks Dutch, so they have to be multilingual to do business properly! Dutch people appreciate it even more that as an expat you do your best to learn Dutch here. Learning even a little Dutch can be the gateway to understanding and engaging in Dutch culture and business.

In conclusion, the Dutch success story goes beyond picturesque landscapes. It’s a tale of resilience, innovation, and a unique cultural approach that makes learning Dutch a gateway to understanding the keys to their success. Explore the language, embrace the culture, and discover the Dutch advantage!

One of the best language schools in the Netherlands happens to be in Leiden. If you want to learn Dutch and learn more about Dutch culture register for a course at Taalthuis