Keep focused on the matter at hand. Germans value Sachlichkeit—objectivity, matter-of-factness, dealing with the substance rather than with peripheral concerns. Personal feelings, relationship dynamics, emotional manipulation—these cloud issues rather than illuminating them. Present your case factually.
Address the substance. Let your argument rest on its merits rather than on how it makes people feel or on your relationship with the audience. Emotion is not forbidden—issues may genuinely be significant—but emotional expression should serve your substantive argument, not substitute for it. Audiences evaluate whether you are actually addressing the matter at hand or getting distracted by extraneous factors. Stick to the Sache.
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