Strategy vs. Tactics
Germans, those leading as well as those being led, prefer generally formulated, mission oriented tasks. The mission addresses more the what and less the how. Overall responsibilitiy for results on the tactical level lies primarily with the implenter, but is shared to some degree with the team lead.
Strategy Formulation
Important decisions should be reached via consensus, ideally within the entire management team, but at least among its key members. Once made, those decisions are best implemented when communicated, understood and accepted by the organization.
Strategy Modification
Germans expect room to interpret decisions when implementing them. They consider that to be a key part of their work. In many situations, deviation from an assigned task is unavoidable, thus accepted and expected by leadership. In certain situations, Germans feel obligated to deviate from a decision which they, as „experts on the ground”, judge to be unwise, counterproductive, or harmful for the business.
Lines of Communication
If Germans, those leading as well as those being led, prefer generally formulated, mission oriented tasks (more what, less how), if German managers focus more on the strategic level, less on the details of implementation, it follows that they will maintain longer lines of communication with their team members: less interaction, less frequent status meetings, fewer iterations on tactical issues.
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