An experienced journalist, Kay runs a consultancy that helps Danish companies communicate in English and is a popular keynote speaker on topics that include Danish business culture, how newcomers can fit into Danish society, and the “Danglish” that Danes often struggle with when speaking or writing English.
Kay is the author of “How to Work in Denmark” (2022), How to Live in Denmark” (2014 and 2017), “Top 35 Mistakes Danes Make in English” (2016), and “”Working with Americans: Tips for Danes” (2019) and the upcoming “Working with Danes: Tips for Americans.” (2020)
She lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Danish workplace culture can be a challenge for internationals who don’t know “How to Work in Denmark” – the title of Kay’s most recent book.
Based on Kay’s own experience as an international working in Denmark, this presentation helps bring the unwritten rules of the Danish workplace to light and helps Danish colleagues examine their own expectations. It’s all about working better together across cultures.
Among the general topics we work with:
– 🪜 Hierarchy: newly-arrived internationals may be hesitant to challenge a Danish boss, in particular if they are here on a working visa. How can a Danish boss give an international team member “permission” to disagree?
– 🗣️ Small talk: Danes are famous for wanting to get right to the task at hand, but other cultures often prefer a bit of small talk before getting to work. What’s the best way to establish a sense of a professional camaraderie before getting down to business?
– 😡 Blame culture: In work cultures with less of a social safety net than Denmark, the first response when things go wrong may be to look for someone to blame. What are some good tactics for redirecting the emphasis towards fixing processes to avoid future mistakes?
– 🏆 Positive feedback: Internationals who are new to the Danish workplace are thirsty for positive feedback, and they need more praise, and more frequent praise, than a Dane who feels secure and established.
Danish workplace culture can be a challenge for foreigners who don’t know “How to Work in Denmark” – the title of Kay’s most recent book.
Based on Kay’s own experience as a foreigner working in Denmark, this presentation helps bring the unwritten rules of the Danish workplace to light and helps Danish colleagues examine their own expectations.
We discuss the culture of trust, what to expect from your boss in a flat organizational structure, and the need to drop everything and socialize when your colleagues bring cake.
How can Danes survive and thrive when working with the energetic, excitable Americans? And how can Americans better understand Danish flat hierarchy, Janteloven, and humor?
In this presentation, Kay Xander Mellish – an American who has lived in Denmark for more than a decade – delivers insights and strategies for how teams from the two nationalities can work better together.
Based on her book “Working with Americans: Tips for Danes” and her website amerikansk.dk, Kay will help Danish and American teams, colleagues, and customers co-operate more smoothly.
How can Danes survive and thrive when working with the energetic, excitable Americans? And how can Americans better understand Danish flat hierarchy, Janteloven, and humor?
In this presentation, Kay Xander Mellish – an American who has lived in Denmark for more than a decade – delivers insights and strategies for how teams from the two nationalities can work better together.
Based on her book “Working with Americans: Tips for Danes” and her website amerikansk.dk, Kay will help Danish and American teams, colleagues, and customers co-operate more smoothly.
Are you welcoming new employees, corporate guests, tour groups, or new students to Denmark?
Kay Xander Mellish’s presentation “Welcome to Denmark” will explain the basics of Danish life – everything from the importance of being on time to the meaning of Jantelov to the best way to make Danish friends.
The “Welcome to Denmark” event is an entertaining, informative introduction to Danish culture that your audience of newcomers will enjoy.
Are you welcoming new employees, corporate guests, tour groups, or new students to Denmark?
Kay Xander Mellish’s presentation “Welcome to Denmark” will explain the basics of Danish life – everything from the importance of being on time to the meaning of Jantelov to the best way to make Danish friends.
The “Welcome to Denmark” event is an entertaining, informative introduction to Danish culture that your audience of newcomers will enjoy.
Looking for a fun event for your company or organization?
We use the format of TV game shows – which are popular around the world – to put participants at their ease and get them interacting with each other. “How To Live in Denmark Jeopardy” is one of our most popular games, along with “Who Wants to Pay Topskat?” (our version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) and the mind-reading game, “What Would the Danes Say?”
It’s a great way for foreigners and Danes to relax and have fun together. Read more at our How to Live in Denmark Game Show website.
Looking for a fun event for your company or organization?
We use the format of TV game shows – which are popular around the world – to put participants at their ease and get them interacting with each other. “How To Live in Denmark Jeopardy” is one of our most popular games, along with “Who Wants to Pay Topskat?” (our version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) and the mind-reading game, “What Would the Danes Say?”
It’s a great way for foreigners and Danes to relax and have fun together. Read more at our How to Live in Denmark Game Show website.
“Thank you for a very inspiring and engaging workshop! We got very good feedback and I really think these insights will help us grow as an organisation.”
“We had Kay Xander Mellish at our internal workshop on diversity and inclusion this spring. I have but one comment: she was fabulous! Don’t hesitate to engage her!”
“The presentation by Kay Xander Mellish was excellent and full of humor. We had a couple of meetings before the presentation, where Kay asked questions, trying to understand our needs. As a result, Kay has helped us to understand cultural differences in the workplace and how we could benefit from each other due to different backgrounds. There was great interaction between the presenter and the audience. We will definitely invite Kay to give another workshop regarding cultural differences.”
Get in touch for a free estimate of a How to Live in Denmark event for your group, or telephone us at +45 26 83 64 88 during Danish business hours.
Vil du læse mere på dansk om amerikansk foredragsholder Kay Xander Mellish?
