German companies celebrate diversity – but it shows its limits in the everyday life of international teams. Young women in management positions in particular pay the price when cultural misunderstandings remain unspoken. In Germany, leadership is seen as a partnership and gender is officially irrelevant. In multicultural teams with male and female colleagues, this self-image is often not enough. In some countries, patriarchal structures and clear hierarchies shape the image of authority – with noticeable consequences for female managers.

Misunderstandings and the search for respect
“Many German managers believe that competence is enough to be respected. In hierarchical cultures, however, this is a fallacy, especially for women,” says Jessica Wahl, gender coach and expert in intercultural leadership and communication. “Respect has to be built up differently there: through role, demeanor, language and a clear understanding of cultural expectations.” In India, for example, leaders are expected to play a paternalistic, authoritarian role. This is difficult to reconcile with a leadership style based on partnership. In Japan, on the other hand, direct, self-confident communication by female superiors tends to be perceived as inappropriate or irritating.

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