The Power of “Trevlig”
𝑼𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 “𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒍𝒊𝒈” 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓
In the world of professional moderatorship, the nuanced art of creating a welcoming environment is often overlooked. During a recent conversation with Swedish moderator Fredrik Berling, this pivotal element was brought to light.
Fredrik stressed the importance for a moderator to create a “trevlig” atmosphere.
The Essence of “Trevlig”
The Swedish word “trevlig,” translates roughly to “pleasant” or “nice” – but it has a more profound and deeper meaning than that.
In a Swedish dictionary “trevlig” is defined as “creating a healthy and prosperous atmosphere”.
In other words, by being “trevlig” you generate and establish a positive, trustful and an open environment where communication and creativity thrives, and you do that by being friendly, open and nice.
A moderator who is perceived as “trevlig” and who creates a “trevlig” atmosphere helps build a room where people feel comfortable, affinity and trust. This makes them curious, open-minded and willing to share and learn new things. Many studies confirm that these basic human feelings are significantly good for our frontal lobe which enhances and amplifies creativity.
The word “trevlig” is connected to the word “trivas” – which is best translated as “flourishing and being at ease in an environment because you are comfortable there.”
So in these two Swedish words (trevlig and trivas) there is a strong connection between thriving / growing and comfortable / relaxed. It is this connection that Berling emphasized as so important for a moderator to create: a vibe where the audience – and the people on the stage – are so comfortable and relaxed that they are open to learning new things from each other.
Strategies for Building a “Trevlig” Environment
Be Authentic and Approachable:
One of the key takeaways from Berling’s approach is the importance of authenticity. A moderator must be genuine, approachable, and capable of creating a space where participants feel safe to express themselves. This involves showing vulnerability and humility, which in turn encourages others to do the same.
Focus on Well-being:
The moderator’s role is to ensure that everyone in the room feels comfortable and included. This can be achieved by being attentive to the needs of the audience, addressing concerns promptly, and fostering a supportive environment.
Engage and Surprise:
Keeping the audience engaged is crucial. Berling suggests that a moderator should be capable of surprising the audience to maintain their interest. This can be through unexpected questions, interactive elements, or dynamic presentation styles.
Build Credibility:
Trust is a fundamental component of a successful moderator. By being well-prepared, knowledgeable, and transparent, a moderator can establish credibility. This trust enables a more open and effective dialogue. It also helps the moderator to focus on creating a positive atmosphere since they do not have to spend as much energy on trying to remember what to say next.
Like all very positive words, “trevlig” can sometimes have a negative or ironic connotation, just like how the words “nice” and “interesting” can be used sarcastically or in a demeaning manner. But the true meaning of the word is extremely positive.
Imagine a conference where the people on the stage, or the audience are feeling uneasy, uncomfortable, unwelcome and / or stressed. That is what Swedes would call “otrevligt” (un-trevligt). That would be a very negative environment for creative growth (unless, of course, the purpose of the conference is to provoke, shock or anger the audience, which is most often not the case.)
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of a moderator being able to create an ambiance where people feel that they belong, can relax, are enjoying themselves and are open to learning new things from each other.
Never underestimate the importance of “trevlig”, which is a straight way to understanding and creativity.
And as a moderator, make sure you develop the ability to create a day where people have had it “trevligt”.