The Germans prefer a complete deliverable, even if late, over an incomplete deliverable, even if early. Lateness is tolerated as long as expectations are met. Completeness beats speed. Examples
Escalation
Germans view conflicts as fundamentally negative. Escalation should be an option of last resort. And since effective leadership is expected to anticipate conflicts, those which have “become public” are a sign of leadership failure. Examples
Deductive vs. Inductive
Deductive thinking is by inference. The conclusion about particulars follows necessarily from general or universal premises. German processes are arrived at more deductively, based on standards and norms. Examples
Intelligence
For Germans an intelligent product goes beyond its purpose as a tool or instrument. An intelligent product thinks with, anticipates how it is put to work, is more than just the extension of its user. Examples
Problem vs. Opportunity
For Germans a core competence is the ability to identify, analyze and solve complex problems. The key to success is problem-solving. In the German business context to be persuasive is to focus primarily on problems. Examples
Strategy Formulation
Germans believe that important decisions should be reached via consensus. Ideally within the entire team, but at least among its key members. Once made, those decisions are best implemented when communicated, understood, and accepted by the broader organization. Examples
Expectations
The German customer expects the supplier to complete the requested task correctly and expertly, within schedule and budget. The boundary conditions are negotiated and held to as precisely as possible. Germans, however, will sacrifice schedule and budget in order to receive what they ordered. Examples
Reliability
Germans expect a product to never break down. Not only the German engineer thinks this, but also the German consumer. A reliable product, like a reliable person, always delivers on its promise. Examples