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I think you're on the right direction.

About the ambition aspect, it's not so much as "dampened" but also a dose of "they don't see a point in too much ambition" or of "doing it just to be n. 1", and they certainly want to reach the top, but enjoying the ride as well.




Yes - the general culture in the Netherlands is that being successful is great, but trying to be successful is naive until you have anything to show for it. And if you are successful, you better be modest - arrogance is widely looked down upon.

Neglecting work/life balance is looked down upon, too.

I'm sure some European founders have interesting stories to tell about that time when they "came out" as ambitious :)

EDIT: I just realised the difference is probably in the "forward thinking" culture of the USA vs. the "living in the now" culture here. If you aren't successful now, why worry about success?


Not so sure about the want to reach the top: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Jante




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