What are some of the negotiation approaches that are most likely to achieve a deal in Germany?

Germans like honesty, we are very direct. Last week, I had a negotiation with a US firm and nobody would give their real opinion. Everybody was beating around the bush, and I was the only one willing to give my opinion. Everyone was taken aback at first, but then we had it on the table and the Americans felt free to express their views as well. Germany is also a formal, patrimonial society and we like to know who is leading the negotiations. If someone has a title such as doctor, then you should use it. This is very different from The Netherlands, where everybody talks and contributes to a position. In Germany, it is expected that the leader has the solution.