As we get closer to the Olympics, this month we decided our focus will be on other countries. Today, I’d like to focus on my observations and reading about Germany.
One major difference I’ve noticed is, like many countries overseas, employees in Germany are more serious in the workplace, but it seems when German employees leave work they really do leave work behind, and enjoy their free time minus the glances at cell phones and work-related email messages. Maybe they understand the work/life balance better than we do.
I recently read some research compiled by Norbert Hedderich, a professor of German at the University of Rhode Island.
In the late 1990s, Hedderich interviewed German engineers working in the U.S. and Americans working in Germany. He wanted to see how the two cultures were perceived by one another, and the differences that may cause some friction. The following is a sampling of his findings. If you’d like to read more go to http://www.dartmouth.edu/~german/German8/Typical.html.
CASUAL VS. FORMAL
The Americans interviewed indicated a more business-like atmosphere in the German workplace. Most Americans were quite surprised to see the lack of casual conversations about family and hobbies, which is so prevalent in the U.S. One American in a managerial position in Germany said, “…At home, I like the interaction with my team. Here, it doesn’t seem possible. If I had this kind of relationship with team members in the U.S., it would be considered dysfunctional.” On the other hand, the more casual style of interaction among Americans was a pleasant surprise for the German employees. Germans also noted, with pleasure, a sense of welcoming into the culture and the feeling of having been made part of the group when working in the U.S.
THAT “YANKEE” ATTITUDE
Germans noticed more positive thinking and an upbeat attitude in the U.S. culture. One American said, “In Germany praise is the absence of criticism.” Yet, in the U.S., Germans were confused when they were praised for what they thought were just routine tasks. Some of the German interviewees found that negative aspects of a particular assignment were not listed negatively, but were labeled as “items for improvement” or were dropped altogether. Reading several comments I got the feeling that German employees believe workers in America are “babied” rather than treated as responsible adults.
NOT SO FAST; THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS
Most interviewees mentioned distinct differences, and some genuine friction, between Germans and Americans on the concept of pace vs. attention to detail. In the German firms, the planning process of a project tends to be long and very detail oriented. The Americans thought Germans “…tested things to death.” On the other hand, a German personnel manager whose company had recently been purchased by a U.S. company said, “…The Germans plan far more thoroughly, whereas the Americans are content with having completed 80% of the planning.”
Finally, when asked how Americans working in Germany should behave, the general consensus given by German employees was:
At Work:
- Don’t attempt to impose American ways. Try to take in what you experience without immediately making judgments.
- Expect to work independently. You may see your supervisor less frequently than expected.
Outside of Work:
- Don’t take it personally if initially people seem distant and reserved. It may be as difficult for you to get used to this as it is for a German visitor to the U.S. when asked by a stranger “How are you?”
- Since most Germans separate work and private lives more than Americans, don’t count on getting together with colleagues after work. Instead, find people who share a common interest; join a club and from that, friendships will grow.
ONE LAST THING…
The above tips work well abroad. Even among companies in the U.S. there are localized and regional differences. A lot of these suggestions are also good when moving from one company to another. If fitting in with your new teammates is important, go slow. Analyze the lay of the land. Watch what others do and follow their lead. It’s easier to accommodate local customs than attempting to change them.
