In French contexts, having a good plan is not enough—you must show the plan clearly. When presenting ideas, announce your structure upfront: “I will address three points: first X, then Y, finally Z.” When writing documents, make your organizational framework explicit and logical. The French expect to see the architecture of your thinking, not just the conclusions. Work that reaches good outcomes through unclear reasoning is less valued than work that demonstrates methodical organization.
This visibility serves practical purposes: it proves your competence, enables others to follow your logic, and creates accountability. If you present ideas without clear structure, expect pushback even if the ideas are good. French colleagues will want to understand how you organized your analysis, not just what you concluded.
When documents circulate, agendas are distributed, or projects are scoped, the plan itself is the subject of discussion. Make your method visible, and you will be taken seriously.
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