VICTORIA’S PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THE UKRAINIAN WAR RESHAPED CULTURE

Victoria has witnessed firsthand how cultural dynamics in Ukraine have shifted since the war began. She describes how resilience, adaptability, and a deep sense of community have reshaped everyday life, communication, and workplace culture.

Culture typically evolves gradually, but significant events can accelerate transformation. For instance, the term “collective individualists,” which Victoria previously used to describe Ukrainians, now reflects a stronger sense of collectivism within the community.

A good metaphor here could be a beehive. In peaceful times, every bee is busy with its own business but when the hive is threatened, all bees get self-organized quickly and act effectively as a whole. Ukrainians value dignity, freedom and independence and regardless of their individualistic nature, quickly transform into a collective culture when those are challenged.  Ukrainians have learned to embrace uncertainty, constantly adapting to new challenges while maintaining a strong vision for the future. 

Communication has also changed. Directness has replaced diplomatic language, with clarity and efficiency taking priority over politeness. There is no time for hidden agendas, messages are shorter and more straightforward, and conversations often communicate values and are centered on strength, resilience, and confidence in justice.

The workplace has been transforming dramatically. Companies have introduced flexible schedules, remote work, and adaptive policies to support employees affected by the war. With many men serving in the military, women are stepping into traditionally male roles, which leads to a shift in diversity and inclusion practices. Leaders have to evolve too, they become more collaborative, human-centric, and empathetic.

Victoria believes that while some cultural shifts may revert after the war, many will remain. The emphasis on inclusion, open communication, and valuing diversity will continue shaping Ukraine’s future. Human-centrism as a preferred leadership style will be definitely in demand. Re-integration of war veterans (many of them with special needs), repatriation of Ukrainians who are now hosted in other countries and will return home with new experiences, not immediate but inevitable growth of immigrants from other countries - all this will require society’s thoughtful re-consideration of the diversity and inclusion policies and everyday practices and serious effort to implement those. So, adaptability to ongoing changes will always stay on the agenda.