During a job interview, a candidate once asked me how I would describe the culture in our company. Instead of listing values or principles, I described a metaphor in following scene.
Two people are having breakfast, seated at opposite ends of a very long table. The butter dish is placed directly in front of one of them, let’s call him Jack. The colleague across from him is new, let’s call him Tom, and he asks in a British accentuated English: “May I have the butter, please?”
Jack replies clearly in American English: “Sure! Help yourself!”
Tom gets up, walks around the table, takes the butter dish, places it in front of his plate, sits down, picks up his roll, and opens the lid. It’s empty. Jack says: “In the fridge.”
So Tom gets up again, walks to the fridge, opens the butter compartment. It‘s also empty. Instead, he finds a handwritten note: “Groceries two blocks around the corner, take 75 pence for the butter.”
This scene captures our culture as described in this metaphor: We always help. We show where the solution lies. But we never take responsibility away from others.
“Help yourself” in our context doesn’t mean: Do it alone. It means: You have everything you need. Use it.
Degrees of freedom are not a risk. They are a vote of confidence. And those who accept that vote find their way, sometimes through detours, but always with tailwind.
The candidate accepted our offer.
Now I’m curious: How much “Help yourself” does your culture tolerate and how much does it need?
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I’m Bernd Scharbert, and I support leaders in translating intercultural guiding principles into everyday practice. It’s about turning cultural differences into strengths and building genuine connections in globally composed teams.
If this resonates with you, let’s talk. You’re also welcome to explore my book: Prepare for Landing: Leitlinien für interkulturelle Führung.
