When the French tackle a problem, they expect to follow established methods. There is a right way to analyze issues, organize arguments, and present conclusions.
This is not rigidity for its own sake—they believe that structured approaches produce better results than improvisation. In meetings, documents, and presentations, pay attention to form and organization. A well-structured proposal signals that you have thought the problem through carefully. A disorganized approach, even with good ideas, suggests you have not done the intellectual work.
When working with French colleagues, ask about expected formats and processes. They will often have specific templates for reports, established procedures for decision-making, and preferred ways of organizing information. Following these demonstrates competence; ignoring them suggests you do not take the work seriously enough to learn the proper way.
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