Escalation
Germans view conflict as negative and unpleasant. Escalation is considered as a last resort. Because effective leadership means anticipating conflict, an escalated conflict exposes poor leadership.
Hearing
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.
Evidence
When resolving a conflict the German mediator focuses on reconstructing the causes and circumstances of the conflict. Objective evidence is sought to answer to the question: “Why did this have to happen?”
Speed
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.
Acceptance
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.
