When we ask about the levers to strengthen the competitiveness of our companies, so-called "soft factors" come to the forefront: flexibility, learning ability, willingness to learn, and employee motivation. The argument often raised in the highly emotional location discussion about high labor costs is overrated compared to these factors. Many have not yet realized how German companies have successfully tackled many challenges of globalization. Today, instead of deeply layered, function-oriented hierarchies with rigid responsibilities, we find team- and process-oriented leadership structures with appropriately delegated responsibilities in line and project management. Particularly successful is the rapidly evolving international collaboration in projects.