Conflict


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. Examples

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. Examples


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. Examples

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. Examples


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?” Examples

United States

When resolving a conflict American managers see themselves more as judge than mediator. They considers both objective facts and subjective witness testimony. Examples


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. Examples

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. Examples


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. Examples

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.” Examples