In French organizations, the authority to make plans correlates with position in the hierarchy. Senior levels set strategic direction and create frameworks; operational levels execute within those frameworks.
This is not just about approval—it is about where plans originate. When working with French organizations, recognize that planning contributions are expected to match your position. Senior people develop comprehensive plans; junior people implement and may plan within narrow scope.
If you are at a lower level and propose strategic plans, you may be seen as overstepping. If you are at a higher level and focus only on details, you may seem to be avoiding your responsibilities. Effective functioning means understanding your planning scope and operating within it.
When influencing decisions, work through appropriate levels. When seeking advancement, demonstrate planning capability appropriate to the level you aspire to reach. Career progression in French contexts means gaining planning authority—moving from implementing others’ plans to creating plans that others implement.
Comments