Translating Conflict
Have you ever had a conflict with someone? I have more than once. And I bet the way I solved it is different from how many of you would approach it. Conflicts are part of life. And the interesting thing…
INSIDE CULTURE ACADEMY
INSIDE CULTURE ACADEMY
INSIDE CULTURE ACADEMY
INSIDE CULTURE ACADEMY
Katharina Olympia Wittig
The Price of Freedom
In collective cultures, you are born into a community.In Germany, you have to build one. A friend said this to me recently. For her, it was one of the hardest part of arriving here. The biggest culture shock. Germany is…
Hierarchy in everyday working life – How do you see your boss?
Imagine a manager: Does she wear an Armani suit or jeans and a T-shirt?Do they come in a company car or by bike?Do you address them as Sie or as Du? For me, the picture is clear: jeans, casual behaviour…
Globalization ≠ Same Culture
Are we all the same? We are all human, we eat, we sleep, we laugh, we study or work, we take care of the people we love.But how we do these things varies from culture to culture. And yet, in…
Can You Hear Her?
Working differently. Leading differently. She’s not quiet.She’s just speaking German.While thinking in Hindi.And translating from English. All at the same time, in a room full of native speakers. Later, a German colleague might say: She doesn’t contribute much in meetings.…
Not Bosch or Siemens – Still Responsible
CSR matters. A few years ago, I wrote my Master’s thesis on Corporate Social Responsibility.Back then, I asked: Is CSR just greenwashing or is there a genuine core behind it?My conclusion was sobering: CSR wasn’t new, but often served mainly…
Be More. Be Less.
What is beautiful? And what does culture have to do with it? Growing up as a woman in this world is not always easy.From an early age, we’re told directly or silently that something about us needs fixing. 👉🏼And it…
Now Guess the Rules
Welcome to Germany. Now guess the rules. Do Germans expect us to work like them? This question came up during one of my recent intercultural trainings and it made me pause. I paused because the immediate answer is: Yes.But much…
Culture Works – So do You?
What does culture have to do with professional success? At first glance: not much.But in reality? You’re probably underestimating it.Big time. 💡 Cultural understanding is not a soft skill. It’s a success factor. Culture shapes how we think, work, lead,…
Do not Under-Estimate Germany
💡We can do better – we just take longer. The German economy isn’t growing or just barely. The headlines are pessimistic.And yes, in Germany, we like to complain. It’s part of our culture.But if you think Germany is falling behind…
Culture First – Business Follows
Is it wise to do business in Germany without understanding the culture? That was a question Savio Andrews from the VDMA India asked me recently. And it stuck with me. Yes, you can do business without understanding the culture. But…
Where is my Place?
I was never foreign enough – and never truly German. “You came to Germany as a child, so that shouldn’t be a problem for you.” I’ve heard this sentence countless times.From teachers. From colleagues. From people who meant well. 💡And…