Snapshot - The mayor

Name: Dietlind Tiemann

Age: 54

Place of Birth: Genthin

Family Status: Married

Children? One son

Job: Mayor

Education: High school diploma/ Degree in economics

How do I start my day?
My husband and I always get up early enough to spend 30 minutes having breakfast. If breakfast is at 7:30 then we get up at 6:00.

What are typical German traits?
Punctuality, precision, thoroughness, striving for innovation, hectic, stress

Do I have any typical character traits?
I'm very busy and always take the time to talk to people; I'm goal-oriented and expect the same from others; I don't like to be contradicted unless someone has a valid point to make; I'll give anything a try; I multi-task; I listen to people whatever their rank; I look at the broader picture but I notice details; I admit my mistakes and I apologize when I'm wrong; I'm consistent and upstanding and some people call me stubborn; I like to have an informed understanding of issues; I get emotionally involved in issues, especially when it comes to children and young people, the elderly and the needy, and I'm a very practical person

My biggest strength is:
I never expect more from others than I expect from myself; I set a good example; I identify goals for myself and my team and work towards them

My biggest weakness is:
Sometimes I am too understanding and get too emotionally involved in conflicts; I don't always organize my time in a way that allows me to deal with mail, read books or take breaks, which means I can only do these things late at night or at the weekend

What do I do in my spare time?
As mayor, I can't really define ‘spare time.' It's when I don't have any official and public appointments. Then I enjoy being at home with my husband, my son and his girlfriend and doing things I rarely have time for, such as taking walks, bike rides, exercise and cooking

My favorite food:
I like sweet and sour eggs with mashed potato; green bean stew with fried egg. I also make a lot of pasta with various sauces

What music do I listen to?
Peter Maffay, Michael Jackson, Helene Fischer, Glenn Miller and James Last. I'm also a big fan of the Brandenburg Ensemble ‘Jacaranda'

What would I like more time for?
My family and friends; my garden and houseplants; reading, surfing the Internet; foreign travel; sport and exercise

How do I feel about the future?
I'm optimistic, as ever; I see problems as a challenge, including demographic change; I see Brandenburg evolving in a good way

My philosophy is:
To be governed by heart and mind in work and life; to take things as they come and to know when to let go

Author: Blagorodna Grigorova (jp)
Editor: Rina Goldenberg