FAQDo the seminars include Americans and Germans?

Whatever the client requests, we will deliver. However, we have developed a sense for what works most effectively. For example, if it is joint participation, we have to work in English. Despite their excellent English skills, the German colleagues would be at a disadvantage. It can be difficult for them to understand the nuances of American English, which is imbedded in American culture. At the same time, they are seldom able to communicate the nuances of their thinking in what is for them a foreign language.

Secondly, when we work with Americans, we push them to “go the extra mile” with their German colleagues, to strive to see things from the German perspective, and at the same time to reflect critically and openly about our American way of thinking, critical in the sense of self-critical, calling into question. In that scenario it is an American, John Magee, engaging with Americans about the Germans, and about the Americans. When I work with Germans I do the exact opposite, pushing them to “go the extra mile” with the Americans, to question critically their German approach.

Also, I can convey the content to the Germans much better in German than in English. I do all of my research and writing in German, then translate into my mother tongue. I know their world, their categories of thinking fairly well. I refer to these time and gain. These are things which Americans will not be familiar with. It would simply take too much time explaining these to the Americans in the room, and vice versa explaining the American cultural context to the Germans.

Thirdy, having both sides in the room is risky. We address very foundational topics, in a direct, straightforward way. I am quite familiar with the perceptions, misperceptions, irritations both sides experience with each other. My direct approach is ok with the Germans, in most cases, but can be uncomfortable for Americans. We’re a very indirect people compared to the Germans. If I go indirect, we lose the Germans or they get frustrated and want more direct, open, transparent talk.

Unless the German and American colleagues know each other very well, and unless these colleagues have worked with me before and thus know my approach, the potential is too great that the chemistry does not work, that the Americans become defensive and/or politically correct.

If you ask most German or American colleagues if they get along with their colleagues on the respective other side of the Atlantic, they’ll almost always answer with “yes”. Same response if you ask if it’s ok to discuss serious topics openly and directly. But, when it’s actually done, the situation is much different. Most colleagues have never engaged in a structured discussion on the foundational topics: American logic and approach vs. German logic and approach.

The optimal sequence, therefore, is for us to work first with the one side, then with the other. Then in a third step to bring the colleagues together.