WORKING WITH GERMANS

INTRODUCTION

What if the biggest barrier to collaboration were the way we interpret (or misinterpret) the working culture in Germany? Why do I feel that I’m missing something? What approach should I take to build mutual trust and foster collaboration?

Germany is known for its strong culture of structure, reliability, and clarity, characteristics that deeply shape how work is done, how communication occurs, and how decisions are made. The emphasis on precision, specialization, and logic can contrast with more flexible or informal styles.

Through a practical approach, this training provides the keys to understanding the specificities of Brazilian culture, avoiding misunderstandings, building mutual trust and improving collaboration.

PREREQUISITES

Prior to the training, participants will be invited to complete the Nomad’ profiler.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Professionals who regularly work with partners, clients or teams in Germany.
• Managers and employees involved in exports, projects or negotiations with German counterparts.
• Expatriate professionals or those relocating to Germany for work.
• International teams seeking to improve the effectiveness of their interactions within the German cultural context.

OBJECTIVES

• Adopt an intercultural approach.
• Understand the German context and culture.,
• Decipher cultural codes and analyse situations of poor communication/misunderstanding.
• Adapt your communication and working methods.
• Decode decision-making and negotiation processes.

PROGRAMME

Session 1: Interpersonal Communication & Intercultural filters (02h00)

Introduction

• Presentations, objectives, agenda
• Identify opportunities and challenges

Interpersonal Communication & perceptions

• The 4 cultural layers
• Differences in Perception
• Flexibility vs Rigidity

Introduction to the Nomad’ Profiler

• Understanding Intercultural Dimensions (Relationships with Society, Work and Others). 
• Reflection on operational impact

Between session 1 : E-learning Cultural Filters (00h30 - English)

• Analysis of one's own perceptions and cultural filters
• Understanding the influence of values on behaviours
• Development of an intercultural approach
• Videos, exercises, case studies and final quiz

Session 2: Overview of German culture

• Regionalism, federalism and its place in Europe
• The Protestant Reformation and ethics
• Demographic evolution
• Importance of ecology
• Adherence to rules and schedules
• Search for stability, caution towards risk
• Gemütlichkeit or “well-being” the German way
• Mitbestimmung or collective decision-making

Between session 2 : Nomad’ Profile (00h30 - English)

• Completion of Nomad’ questionnaire online
• Delivery of individual Nomad’ Profiler by email

Session 3: Optimise your communication

Working with Germany

• Relationship with society (Hierarchical distance, Rule application, Reference)
• Relationship with work (Reasoning, Time management, Relationship to risk)
• Relationship with others (Professional relationships, Communication, Management of disagreements, Expression of emotions)

Brainstorming & Action plan

• Characteristics of a high-performance team
• Brainstorming in sub-groups
• Debriefing, feedback and action plan

Conclusion & Closure

• Keep doing, stop doing, start doing
• Check-out

Post-session Country Packs

• Access for 1 year to the Akteos Academy Country Packs (80 countries)
• Expand your knowledge about the country (Cultural guidelines, business life, overview)