What does it mean to be successful? Is it a corner office with a panoramic city view, a large and loving family gathered for a Sunday meal, or the quiet satisfaction of mastering a craft? The answer, it turns out, is deeply personal and, more importantly, profoundly cultural. The concepts of success and failure are not universal truths etched in stone; they are fluid ideas, shaped by the values, histories, and social structures of the societies we inhabit. What one culture champions as the pinnacle of achievement, another might view with indifference or even disdain.
The Individualistic Quest: The Western Model of Success
In many Western cultures, particularly in the United States, success is an intensely personal pursuit. The narrative is built around the individual. It’s the story of the self-made entrepreneur who built an empire from a garage, the brilliant scientist who makes a solo breakthrough, or the artist who achieves fame through a unique vision. Here, success is often measured in quantifiable and visible terms:
wealth, career advancement, public recognition, and material possessions. The underlying philosophy is that individuals are the masters of their own destiny, and with enough hard work, grit, and ambition, anyone can rise to the top.
Failure, in this context, is also an individual burden. It can lead to feelings of personal inadequacy and shame. However, there’s a powerful counter-narrative that has gained traction: failure as a badge of honor. The “fail fast, fail forward” mantra of Silicon Valley frames failure not as an endpoint, but as a crucial learning experience on the path to ultimate victory. It’s a necessary stepping stone, a data point in the grand experiment of one’s life. While the sting of failure is real, the culture celebrates resilience and the ability to bounce back, reinforcing the idea that the individual journey is what matters most.
The Collective Harmony: Success in East Asian Cultures
Shift your perspective to many East Asian societies, such as Japan, China, and South Korea, and the picture changes dramatically. Here, the fundamental unit is not the individual, but the group—the family, the company, the community. Success is less about personal glory and more about
bringing honor to the family, contributing to the success of the company, and maintaining social harmony. An individual’s achievement is seen as a reflection on their entire family and upbringing. The ideal is not to stand out, but to fit in, to fulfill one’s role and responsibilities with diligence and humility.
This collectivistic approach profoundly alters the meaning of failure. A personal failure is not just a personal setback; it brings shame and dishonor to the entire group. This immense pressure to avoid failure at all costs is a powerful motivator. The concept of “saving face” is paramount—it’s about maintaining one’s dignity and the respect of others. The fear of causing the group to lose face can be far more daunting than any personal consequence. This is why you might see a more cautious, meticulous, and risk-averse approach to tasks, as the stakes are perceived to be much higher than just one person’s career or reputation.
These distinct cultural outlooks are often explained through the work of sociologist Geert Hofstede and his cultural dimensions theory. His research identifies the Individualism vs. Collectivism (IDV) scale as a key differentiator between societies. Cultures with high IDV scores, like the United States, emphasize personal achievements and individual rights. In contrast, cultures with low IDV scores prioritize group goals, loyalty, and relationships over individual needs.
The Law of Jante: Success in Scandinavia
Venture into Scandinavia, and you’ll encounter a completely different ethos, often encapsulated by the concept of
“Janteloven” or the Law of Jante. This is a set of unwritten social rules that discourages individual grandstanding and promotes collective modesty. The core tenets can be summarized as: “You are not to think you’re anyone special.” Flaunting wealth or boasting about personal achievements is considered poor taste.
Success, therefore, is defined in much more subtle and communal terms. It’s about achieving a healthy work-life balance (known as *lagom* in Sweden, meaning “just the right amount”), contributing to a well-functioning society, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Professional achievement is valued, but not if it comes at the expense of community well-being or personal hubris. Failure, buffered by strong social safety nets, is less catastrophic. The focus isn’t on avoiding failure to protect personal pride, but on working together so that the entire community thrives.
The Web of Relationships: Latin American and Southern European Views
In many Latin American and Southern European cultures, the fabric of life is woven from family and social connections. While professional and financial success are certainly desired, they are often seen as a means to an end: providing for and supporting the family. The ultimate measure of a successful life might be the strength of one’s family bonds, the loyalty of one’s friends, and a rich social life. A person with a powerful job but a fractured family life might not be considered as successful as someone with a modest income but who is surrounded by a large, happy, and supportive family network.
In this framework, failure is also a shared experience. The community and extended family provide a powerful emotional and sometimes financial cushion against personal setbacks. The shame of failure can be mitigated by the unwavering support of loved ones. Success isn’t a lonely climb to the top; it’s about lifting up and being lifted by the people you are connected to. The true wealth is not in the bank, but in the richness of your relationships.
Ultimately, understanding these diverse perspectives is more than an academic exercise. It’s a vital tool for navigating our increasingly interconnected world. It reminds us that when we talk about success and failure, we are not talking about objective realities, but about stories—stories we tell ourselves, shaped by a culture we may not even realize is guiding our every judgment.
