When Germans make commitments in negotiation, they take those commitments seriously as binding obligations. A promise is not merely an expression of current intention but an undertaking they expect to honor and expect you to honor. This makes Germans careful about committing—they may seem slow to reach agreement because they are thinking through the full implications before making promises. Once agreement is reached, however, implementation is typically reliable.
Recognize this pattern: do not push for premature commitment, as it will create resistance. When you receive a commitment, trust it—Germans generally deliver what they promise.
When you make commitments, be certain you can fulfill them. Broken commitments damage not just the specific matter but your overall reliability reputation.
Comments