Competence Legitimates Authority

French acceptance of leadership rests substantially on assumed competence. Leaders are expected to possess genuine expertise, knowledge, or capability that justifies their position. The manager should understand the business; the coach should understand the sport; the physician should understand medicine. Subordinates follow because the leader actually knows better, not merely because the leader holds a title.

If you lead in French contexts, demonstrate your competence clearly—this is the foundation of your authority. Leaders who show incompetence lose credibility regardless of formal position.

If you work under French leadership, assess your leaders’ actual capability. Respect follows demonstrated competence. French leadership must be substantive; impressive presentation without underlying capability does not convince.

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