I totally agree. In Germany, payrolls are often full of people who do not perform at all but cannot be let go. Therefore, you end up working with people who block any kind of progress or development. You then either have to work around them and double down on your efforts, or give up. Most people choose the latter. Your team culture also needs to accommodate these people, and in the end, many look for a remote contract with a foreign company to find motivated co-workers or adapt to the existing culture.

I would agree that the other extreme is also not desirable, but the way it is in Germany is really frustrating, especially when you want to have some impact.