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Escalation
Germany
Germans view conflicts as fundamentally negative. Escalation should be an option of last resort. And since effective leadership is expected to anticipate and prevent conflicts, those which have “become public” are a sign of leadership failure. Patterns
United States
For Americans conflicts of interest are a fact of life. Escalation is often not only necessary, each individual has a fundamental right to seek resolution, to “have their day in court.” In the U.S. escalation is often an early option. Patterns
Hearing
Germany
Germans avoid hearings. Allowing the conflict parties to go head-to-head increases tension, making it more difficult to resolve the conflict. The conflicting parties are interviewed separately. Patterns
United States
Americans expect a hearing. The conflict parties, in the presence of each other, make their case. Self-defense is only possible when one knows what the other side is accusing them of. Patterns
Evidence
Germany
When resolving a conflict the German mediator focuses on reconstructing the causes and circumstances of the conflict. Objective evidence is sought to answer the question: “Why did this have to happen?” Patterns
United States
When resolving a conflict American managers see themselves more as judge than mediator. They considers both objective facts and subjective witness testimony. Patterns
Speed
Germany
Germans are skeptical of rash action. Resolving a conflict requires patience. Hasty resolutions are seldom effective. The conflict most likely will resurface. German mediators take their time. Patterns
United States
Americans become impatient if too much time is required to resolve a conflict. Festering conflicts are disruptive for any team. A suboptimal, yet prompt resolution, is often better than an optimal, but late one. Patterns
Acceptance
Germany
In Germany a conflict resolution is successful when accepted by all parties involved. There is little tolerance for solutions that create winners and losers. Germans aim for mutually beneficial outcomes. Patterns
United States
In the U.S. a true and lasting resolution is attainable only when a clear decision is made. Americans don’t have of a problem with one party winning and the other losing. “You win some, you lose some.” Patterns