German negotiators often prioritize long-term relationship maintenance over maximizing advantage in any single transaction. They expect to work with you again and want outcomes that support ongoing cooperation. This shapes their approach: they may leave value on the table to preserve fairness, they avoid tactics that might win today but damage tomorrow, and they explicitly invoke the continuing relationship. Adopt a similar orientation—even if you see opportunities for immediate advantage, consider whether taking them serves your long-term interests. Signal your own long-term thinking: “I want something sustainable for both of us,” “We’ll need to work together on future projects.” Germans respond well to counterparties who demonstrate they are playing the long game rather than just optimizing the current transaction.
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