Suits. This legal drama centers on contract negotiations, mergers, and business deals. Characters are in constant communication, often renegotiating or exiting agreements as circumstances change. The show highlights how American business culture values strategic flexibility and clear, actionable terms over deep contextual or relational commitments.
television
made and unmade
Silicon Valley. This comedy series follows tech entrepreneurs navigating the startup world. Agreements—whether with investors, partners, or competitors—are frequently made and unmade, with characters constantly adapting to new information and shifting alliances. The series depicts a culture where ongoing contact and the ability to pivot or exit deals are crucial.
change course when necessary
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber. Based on real events, this series dramatizes the rise of Uber and its founder’s approach to business agreements. It showcases rapid deal-making, constant negotiation, and a willingness to abandon partnerships or change course when necessary, reflecting the American logic of prioritizing results and adaptability.
friendship over time
Nikola. A popular sitcom set in a hospital, Nikola centers on the head nurse Nikola and Chief Physician Dr. Schmidt. The two regularly argue about work-related issues and hospital management, often with sharp wit and directness. However, their professional disputes do not prevent them from developing mutual trust and even a friendship over time.
procedural not adversarial
In German crime and legal dramas, such as Tatort and the various SOKO franchises, investigations are typically methodical, with suspects and witnesses interviewed separately by police. The process is procedural and avoids dramatic, adversarial courtroom showdowns, focusing instead on careful fact-finding and structured dialogue.
These series collectively demonstrate the German cultural and procedural logic of minimizing direct confrontation in conflict resolution, aligning with the business practice of interviewing conflicting parties separately to reduce tension and facilitate resolution.
The Crime Scene Cleaner
Der Tatortreiniger (The Crime Scene Cleaner). Overview: This dark comedy follows Heiko “Schotty” Schotte, a crime scene cleaner who encounters a wide variety of people and situations. Each episode centers on Schotty’s interactions with clients and bystanders, exploring how personal backgrounds, social norms, and unspoken expectations affect communication and problem-solving in professional encounters. The show cleverly uses these encounters to highlight the importance of understanding context in any professional service role.
Lindenstraße
Lindenstraße. Overview: One of Germany’s longest-running soap operas, set on a fictional street in Munich. While not strictly a business show, Lindenstraße frequently explores workplace issues, social integration, and professional relationships. The show’s storylines demonstrate how social context—such as cultural background, community ties, and current events—directly impacts professional and personal interactions.
Judge Judy
Judge Judy (and other courtroom reality shows). Real-life small claims cases are presented before Judge Judy Sheindlin, who listens to both parties, examines evidence, and cross-examines witnesses before issuing a binding verdict. Judge Judy’s approach epitomizes the American manager-as-judge logic: she considers both objective facts (documents, receipts, contracts) and subjective testimony (personal accounts, explanations) before making a decision.
Law & Order
Law & Order (and spin-offs): Each episode follows the investigation of a crime (gathering evidence) and the subsequent prosecution in court, where lawyers and judges weigh facts and witness statements. The series consistently shows the process of building a case with hard evidence while also scrutinizing the credibility and motives of witnesses, mirroring the American business approach to resolving disputes.
serious ramifications
German dramas, especially those set in finance or corporate worlds, often emphasize the risks of acting on incomplete information. They reflect a cultural lesson: in German business culture, overlooking context is not just a minor error—it can have serious professional and personal ramifications.
Series like Bad Banks and select episodes of Tatort and Bad Cop: Kriminell gut illustrate that underestimating context in business can result in failed ventures, loss of reputation, or even legal trouble. These dramas reinforce the German business value of thorough preparation and contextual awareness before making commitments or decisions.