Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s dramas, such as Torquato Tasso and Iphigenie auf Tauris, are notable for their exploration of conflict through rational dialogue and the pursuit of objective truth. Characters in these works often engage in intense intellectual or ethical debates, but the disagreements remain focused on principles or duties, not personal animosity. The emphasis is on the matter at hand—be it justice, truth, or duty—rather than on personal feelings.
“… when not to obey”
Here are two famous quotes illustrating the German/Prussian military tradition emphasizing the need for officers to exercise judgment even if it means disobeying orders:
The first historic anecdote involves Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz, a Prussian cavalry commander, who reportedly told his king during the Battle of Zorndorf (1758): “Tell the King that after the battle my head is at his disposal, but meanwhile I will make use of it.” This reflects the attitude that obedience alone is not enough; an officer must think critically and may need to disobey orders for the greater good.
Another related quote references a Prussian officer being told by Prince Frederick Charles (1868-1940): “His Majesty made you a Major because he believed you would know when not to obey his orders.“ This illustrates the principle that obedience has limits and military leaders must sometimes disobey orders based on the situation.
These quotes capture the essence of Auftragstaktik, the Prussian concept of mission-type orders, where the officer is entrusted with the freedom to decide the best way to achieve the goal.
Mommy issues
Comments: “They become weak and then they become American.” … “My mom says “geh mit Gott aber geh” (Go with God, but go)” … “My mother is German, and as a child when I would get upset over something she would say to me, “YOU AMERICANS ARE SO SENSITIVE!” *my father is American. I grew up in the states lol” … “We only miss people when they die.” A bit harsh, but thats the German way.”
“Stop Being Micromanaged”
Harvard Business Review. “Stop Being Micromanaged.” Amy Gallo, September 22, 2011.
There are managers who have very high standards who like some degree of control. They pay a great deal of attention to detail and exercise some degree of control, but they don’t stifle those who work for them.
Then there are pathological micromanagers who need to make it clear to themselves and others that they are in charge. These are the bosses that give you little to no autonomy, insist they be involved in every detail of your work, and are more concerned about specifics, such as font size, rather than the big picture.”
It is counterproductive to fight against micromanagement. Gallo suggests: “Make upfront agreements. Talk to your boss before a project starts about how she will be involved. Try to agree on standards and basic approach.
Explain what you think the ideal plan of action is and then ask for her input. Be sure you understand upfront what the guiding principles are for the work, not just the tactical elements. These principles are what you should be discussing with your boss.
The author recommends: “Remind your boss that she is better off not getting involved in the minutiae because her time and effort are more valuable to the big picture. And keep your boss in the loop.”
“Stop sugarcoating”
November 12, 2024. Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, reports on the company’s progress. A video with the title “90 days in 90 seconds.”
However, many Germans were not convinced. Not because Germans are mean people. Not because Germans are negative, destructive, or pessimistic. But instead, because they have a different approach to persuasion. How they persuade. How they allow themselves to be persuaded.
See the Anderson-video and the comments on LinkedIn. Here are some of the German comments:
“Dear Bill Anderson: I know that you have a difficult job, and I don’t want to blame you for the mistakes of your predecessors. Nevertheless, you should be able to honestly tell employees, shareholders and the German public, how things are going at Bayer. Your above statement is in my point of view misleading and irresponsible.
Bayer’s existence is threatened and you and the top management (seem) have not yet understood this. Stop being the Olaf Scholz (German Chancellor) of the German industry and please switch from Disney Land mentality to the necessary crisis mode. If you and management are unable to recognize, communicate and resolve the realities, please clear the way for leaders who can. And please stop sugarcoating terrifying realities ASAP!!!”
The commenter is a Ph.D. university professor in Pathology and Immunology. And the commenter is a German who has also become an American citizen.
Another comment from a German on LinkedIn: “‘We’re making great progress in some areas.”‘ You cannot be serious! The share price is at a 20-years low. It is true that you cannot be blamed for your predecessors’ mistakes, but where was the share price at, when you started as CEO at Bayer?”
And this from a Bayer-employee: “With this performance and a drop of more than 10% in share price today, I would be surprised if you survive another year as CEO. Be honest and inform the public that the Bayer Monsanto merger is a huge insolvency risk. It is time for a rescue plan to save at least parts of the company.” The commenter is German.
Are Germans Too Direct?
Learn German with our street interviews: In this episode we deal with a common prejudice, namely: Germans are always very direct! We find out for you on the streets of Berlin whether this is actually always true and in which situations in particular.
YouTube comments:
“I’ll never forget when visiting a friend in Germany for the first time: He was with another friend and they saw a mutual acquaintance at a cafe. ‘We know that man, we went to school together.’ ‘Want to go over and say hello?’ ‘No. Later he became stupid, so we don’t talk to him anymore.’ I loved the blunt honesty.”
“I like how a lot of the people who said no said it very directly, and emphatically. Lol, I have German heritage, and it feels right.”
“Honestly, the directness in Germany as a precise way to tell things that need to be fastly adressed, instead of running in circles (or plainly just not speaking) to avoid offending someone like we in other coubtries do, makes my life easier as in my hometown in Latin America, in that way I find social rules way simpler, gets problems solved faster. On the other side, sometimes people (the least of them) confuse directness with plain aggression, there are things that simply are not needed to be told.”
“Everybody is police”
An Iranian in Berlin complains about being told not to ride his bicycle on the sidewalk. “Everbody in Germany is a police.”
YouTube comments:
“‘Are you hobbylos?’ Only Germans say that.” … “Great way to catch a stick in the spokes, Mate.” … “Is he evidently unaware of traffic rules and in dire need of this reprimand?” … “That’s just called pedestrian safety. Stay on the bike lane or the street.”
For those people tending to sympathize with this guy complaining about Germany and the Germans, see below how traffic is organized in Iran:
The quiet guy in the basement
Tom Scholz. MIT graduate. Engineer. Focused on his craft. Uninterested in money or fame or music labels. Taught himself how to play the electrical guitar. Scholz. An American. Of German descent.
YouTube comments:
“I was 16 and (fortunately) working at a local record store on release day for the first album. The boss / owner and I unboxed all the new releases and put them on the hit wall before opening. We maybe got 30 copies. I thought the cover was pretty intriguing so cracked the album for some in store play. We stopped what we were doing and listened to the whole album play through just looking at each other in amazement. Still remember what he said: “Every damn song is a hit.” He placed an order for at least 60 more before we even opened the store. The album stayed in play all day and …every customer that came in that morning bought a copy. Never saw anything like it, before or since.”
“I’m 61 and remember hearing “More Than a Feeling” sitting in the back seat of our station wagon while heading to Atlanta from my home in south Georgia. When we got back home a few days later, I gathered my savings from working in the fields and caught a ride with my sister to a local record store. I bought the album and still have it to this day. I was floored after putting it on my dad’s big stereo. I read the back cover over and over as I re-played the album several times straight through some massive earphones. I’ll never forget that glorious day. Thanks, Tom!”
“I’m 64 and I can remember the first time I heard the debut Boston album like it was yesterday. I was 16, in another town playing hockey. My buddy were walking around and saw a cool looking long haired dude setting up 4 house speakers on his lawn. More Than a Feeling started and I was mesmerized. The sound, the guitars, were like nothing I had ever heard. Still get goosebumps from this record. A true masterpiece from a Master.”
“A good friend of mine met Tom when they came through Spokane in ’77 or ’78. My friend was working as a bellhop/waiter at the new Sheraton hotel, Boston was in town for a concert. My buddy knew they were staying at the hotel, and when he delivered room service up to Tom’s room, he brought his copy of that first Boston album up to the room with him. Got all the signatures (as I recall) on the album. I was jealous a bit, but happy for him.”
let him who binds himself
Drum prüfe, wer sich ewig bindet. Literal translation: Therefore, let him who binds himself forever, first see whom he is binding himself to. Meaning: Originally from Friedrich Schiller, this phrase is often used to stress the importance of careful consideration and gathering context before making long-term commitments.
Without context, no agreement.
Ohne Kontext keine Zustimmung. Literal translation: Without context, no agreement. Meaning: Stresses that agreement is only possible when all relevant information is available.