Colleagues who have made Germany their home share what they have learned from local customs and from their teams. Their reflections show how different perspectives and traditions strengthen our teams, our performance, and the way we work at #TeamRWE.
Ivan, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at RWE OPEA moved from Goa in India to Hamburg and uses the benefits of both cultures to enhance results. He also connects local customs to practices on and off his job.
“In Germany’s structured environment, I often take a different path to attain a result and am invited to share a fresh perspective. This mix of structure and openness helps us find better solutions in our team together. I appreciate many local norms and feel at home here with my family while still bringing my own cultural influences into the way I work and connect with others. Quiet Sundays taught me to plan ahead, respect space for rest and family and recharge.”
Heather works as an Expert in Business Transformation at RWE AG and moved from Leeds in England to Essen. Sharing rituals and creating connections help her to understand colleagues and their different perspectives better. Although rituals and habits may be unfamiliar, they can build trust and reliability within teams.
“For me, home is where there is community. In Essen, my RWEST graduate cohort became that community. I try to bring a bit of Northern warmth to everyday interactions, whether that is checking in with colleagues or making space for a laugh in busy days. I quickly realised that bread is serious business in Germany. Fresh Brötchen from a bakery beat sliced bread from the supermarket every time. Sharing this daily ritual has helped me feel part of local life and has become a simple way to connect with colleagues even better. In the long run these stronger connections boost our mutual understanding, especially as we work in diverse teams.”
Jesús moved from Tehuacan in Mexico and works as Manager Strategic Fields at RWE AG in Essen. Getting to know colleagues as well as the German culture more closely help him to a get clear impression of his impact within his team and to the overall RWE strategy.
“A good plan is always half the work. Projects here feel more intentional, so I always clarify objectives before starting. I also value time with colleagues outdoors, such as team walks around Lake Baldeney in Essen, which strengthen relationships beyond formal meetings. Visiting sites such as Hambach make regional transformation very tangible and connect my work to the wider energy transition. I was also surprised by the birthday tradition of bringing cake to the office. It adds warmth to the workplace and creates small moments of celebration in our teams.”
