The Role of a Manager
Subordinates demonstrate their respect of their supervisors and managers by following their directions to the letter. In return, managers provide explicit directions and ensure that their subordinates have the proper materials and understand the appropriate procedures. All work hard within the official working hours. However, neither managers nor subordinates expect to work past normal quitting time.

There is often a gulf between managers and their subordinates, although this is less so in newer companies, high tech, or other high growth industries. Managers are expected to give precise directions when assigning tasks so that there is no question what is expected.
Approach to Change
Germany’s intercultural competence and readiness for change is low, meaning that social change is difficult to bring about and the idea of it is not received with enthusiasm. The underlying belief is that change may threaten the social fabric.
Approach to Time and Priorities
Germany is a controlled-time culture, and adherence to schedules is important and expected. In Germany missing a deadline is a sign of poor management and inefficiency, and will shake people’s confidence. People in controlled-time cultures tend to have their time highly scheduled, and it’s generally a good idea to provide and adhere to performance milestones.

Since Germans respect schedules and deadlines, it is not unusual for managers to expect people to work late and even give up weekends in order to meet target deadlines.

Effective cross cultural management skill will depend on the individual’s ability to meet deadlines.
Decision Making
For effective cross cultural management it is important to remember that in general, subordinates do not expect their managers to seek their concurrence. They are comfortable complying with decisions. Again, this may depend upon the industry,