I've spent the last 2 years working from India for German managers in distributed global IT teams, and I’ve learned a lot about German/Indian cultural differences during this time. I must admit, drawing broad generalizations about cultural or professional attitudes is a difficult, and often risky, task. The world is a melange of perspectives, beliefs, and ideas; no one person’s point of view can truly encapsulate the thoughts of a whole group of individuals. However, in my experience observing and studying global professional interactions, I have noticed certain recurring themes in how Indian IT engineers perceive their German managers.
So, with a huge pinch of salt, here’s what I’ve gathered:
Many Indian engineers, who are often hailed for their flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work under pressure, tend to admire the German commitment to precision, meticulousness, and the culture of “Ordnung muss sein” – a term translating to ‘there must be order.’
This admiration is sometimes tinted with a sense of bemusement, as they find the meticulous attention to detail and the rigorous adherence to rules, schedules, and specifications somewhat foreign, even overwhelming at times. However, they generally respect it as an approach that often yields high-quality outcomes.
There’s also an appreciation for the work-life balance that German managers prioritize. Indian work culture, often characterized by long working hours and an ‘always-on’ expectation, contrasts with the German perspective that values free time and relaxation just as much as work. Yet, this difference occasionally leads to misunderstandings, as some Indian engineers may perceive the German style as lacking urgency.
There are, however, a few elements that Indian engineers sometimes find challenging. The formality inherent in German communication style, for instance, can come across as distant or rigid, especially compared to the generally informal, relationship-based Indian work culture. Moreover, the German propensity for directness and candid feedback can be perceived as harsh, given that indirect communication and saving face are common in Indian social etiquette.
German bosses are known for their direct and straightforward communication style. They tend to value efficiency and clarity in communication, which may contrast with the more indirect and context-oriented communication style prevalent in most Indian workplaces. Indian engineers can find this directness off-putting or overly blunt at times, but after a while we get used to it, and can find ourselves really appreciating the clarity. A lack of indirect, subtle messages means there’s less to de-code.
When German bosses say what they mean, we know where we stand. However, there’s one thing I wish every German boss would know, and that’s to always give negative feedback in private. Never in front of the whole team.
But in the end, despite all these cultural divergences, Indian engineers have a deep-seated respect for their German managers’ technical expertise and leadership capabilities. They find their punctuality, precision, and clear articulation of expectations refreshing and supportive of a productive work environment.
These are my observations, and they’re generalisations, not rules! The experiences and perspectives of Indian engineers towards their German managers can vastly differ based on their own personal beliefs, backgrounds, and the specific work culture of the organization they belong to. We’re all individuals, and that’s the beauty of the global, multicultural workspace.
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