> It seems to me the underlying issue is that mistakes are punished and taking initiative to solve problems is not rewarded
This.
Context: born and grew up in Germany. Worked abroad for many years. Now living in Berlin, would still never work for an established German company for that reason.
Startups are usually better; until they're not startups any more.
Asking first "wer ist schuld?" ("whose fault was this?") is deeply rooted in German culture somehow though and sooner or later takes hold again.
It's the best way to ensure processes do not get improved but the paper trail attached to them grows steadily.
>Now living in Berlin, would still never work for an established German company for that reason.
What's wrong with traditional German companies besides burocracy? I see many have happy lives there with very good WLB and great job safety, contrary to start-ups.
>Startups are usually better; until they're not startups any more.
True, but also start-ups are better when you're part of the early founding crew who know each other, and get some sizeable equity for the effort. Otherwise, if you're one of the later joiners outside of the founder inner circle, you get nothing in rewards but get all the pressure and stress of working at a start-up. I'd much rather be at a traditional German company than a start-up like that, especially now that I'm past my prime youth years.
This.
Context: born and grew up in Germany. Worked abroad for many years. Now living in Berlin, would still never work for an established German company for that reason.
Startups are usually better; until they're not startups any more.
Asking first "wer ist schuld?" ("whose fault was this?") is deeply rooted in German culture somehow though and sooner or later takes hold again.
It's the best way to ensure processes do not get improved but the paper trail attached to them grows steadily.