GERMANY

Being a Manager in Germany
The business set up in Germany is extremely formal. In order to achieve successful cross cultural management, you must be prepared for a host of regulations, guidelines, and principles covering every aspect of conducting business in Germany. German businesspeople have deep-seated rules and regulations. This is a formal culture that believes time is money. Relationships are clearly defined, which intimates the type of communication and behaviors expected.
Some employees in Germany do not feel that they are authorized by station, education, or position to either aspire to leadership or to express themselves freely in management circles. Nevertheless many do, and especially with the influence of intercultural expansion and globalization, organizations are tending to rely more heavily on the wisdom of their people and not just the direction of leadership.
The Role of a Manager
Subordinates demonstrate their respect of their supervisors and managers by following their directions to the letter. In return, managers provide explicit directions and ensure that their subordinates have the proper materials and understand the appropriate procedures. All work hard within the official working hours. However, neither managers nor subordinates expect to work past normal quitting time.
There is often a gulf between managers and their subordinates, although this is less so in newer companies, high tech, or other high growth industries. Managers are expected to give precise directions when assigning tasks so that there is no question what is expected.
Approach to Change
Germany’s intercultural competence and readiness for change is low, meaning that social change is difficult to bring about and the idea of it is not received with enthusiasm. The underlying belief is that change may threaten the social fabric.
Approach to Time and Priorities
Germany is a controlled-time culture, and adherence to schedules is important and expected.