Culture is fascinating! Did you know that the German nation as we know it today is only about 135 years old? Through its history, Germany received the dubious distinction of being known as “The Battleground of Europe”. It has undergone hundreds of years of war on its own soil, experienced dozens of border changes and loss of territory, to say nothing for loss of resources and human life. German history has had an amazing influence on the collective German psyche in both business and personal life. The German people are individualistic, but rely on a certain amount of conformity to behave in a manner that is acceptable and in keeping with the rules of society. They have a need for order and are sometimes viewed as rigid, which can be interpreted as the desire for stability and certainty. Geert Hofstede, the Dutch psychologist points out in his research that Germans score high in what he terms “Uncertainty Avoidance” and are usually uncomfortable with ambiguity and risk. Data, rationale and facts are essential. Business is business and personal time is personal. Decision making is slow and deliberate in an effort to do things right at all costs. All areas of the issue must be examined carefully, and once a decision is made it is considered binding. What other areas of behavior can be matched with historical events? Global LT’s Cultural Training Programs - History and Uncertainty: Germany