Managing French Teams

Leadership Styles

French employees expect different leadership than Anglo-Saxon norms:

Preferred Characteristics: - Intellectual credibility - Strategic vision - Respect for expertise - Allowance for debate - Clear decision-making - Cultural sophistication

Less Effective: - Cheerleader motivation - Micromanagement - Pure metrics focus - Authoritarian without intellect - Ignoring team input

Motivation and Recognition

What Motivates French Employees: - Intellectual challenges - Autonomy within structure - Work-life balance - Professional development - Elegant solutions - Peer respect

Recognition Approaches: - Private appreciation - Increased responsibilities - Training opportunities - Exposure to leadership - Subtle public acknowledgment

Performance Reviews

French performance discussions differ from American directness:

Typical Approach: - More philosophical than metric - Focus on development - Contextual understanding - Two-way dialogue - Written follow-up important