This initiative vs obedience seems a little wishywashy to me. When do these shifts happen, is is cultural or only a matter of the who is in charge that day? Sp

This initiative vs obedience seems a little wishywashy to me. When do these shifts happen, is is cultural or only a matter of the who is in charge that day? Specially when applied in practice to the German army. Even if the pattern is true, there seem to be many, many far more relevant reasons for victory or defeat.