Swedish Fika to build relationships

by Dale Davidson
A funny cartoon depicting an independent consultant at a coffee break with his colleagues and clients. The scene is set in a coffee shop where a stick figure independent consultant is surrounded by a group of stick figure colleagues and clients. The consultant, holding a steaming cup of coffee, is animatedly talking and gesturing, seemingly explaining a complex concept with diagrams drawn in the air, symbolized by squiggly lines and question marks. The colleagues and clients are shown with a mix of expressions, ranging from confused to amused, as they try to follow along with the explanation. One of the clients is peeking into their coffee cup as if looking for answers, while a colleague is doodling on a napkin, completely distracted. In the background, a barista stick figure is watching the scene with a puzzled look. The style is exaggerated and humorous, emphasizing the quirky dynamics of work-related interactions in casual settings.

One of the reasons I wanted to go 1099 was because I'm not really a team player.

I like to do my own thing.

I always rolled my eyes at company parties at social events. They always seem forced and awkward.

So going 1099 was right for me.

BUT, there is a risk you can isolate yourself. Going solo means you actually need to be more deliberately social than if you work for a bigger company.

This WSJ article wrote about a Swedish tradition called, "Fika," which is basically a planned group coffee break.

Sweden Has a Caffeinated Secret to Happiness at Work

"Pronounced “fee-kah,” the Swedish culture of breaking for coffee involves much more than a schlep to Starbucks. It’s meant to be a deliberate pause to provide space and time for people to connect ...

“Fika is where we talk life, we talk everything but work itself,” said Micael Dahlen, professor of well-being, welfare and happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics. The ritual helps drive trivsel, he says, a term that means a combination of workplace enjoyment and thriving. The concept is so fundamental to Swedish workplaces that many companies in Sweden have trivselcommittees, he said."

Sounds pleasant! And I believe, if done right, it works.

There are two ways I did something similar on my projects:

  • Set up a coffee run to the Starbucks in the building with my colleagues
  • Set up happy hours

The coffees were more frequent and I'd chat with my colleagues on the way to the Starbucks, in line, and for a few minutes when we were back in the office.

Happy hours were maybe once per quarter and it'd offer a longer time window (in a mildly intoxicated state) for deeper bonding.

It achieved a few things:

  • Made me a few friends
  • Gave me good intel/gossip about work stuff
  • Put me in a favorable position to ask for help later

It's also fun for what it's worth.

Put in a little effort into establishing your own "Fika" ritual. It's worth it.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.

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