French people are deeply motivated by becoming excellent at what they do. The concept of métier — one’s craft, discipline, or domain of expertise — connects work to identity. A French professional does not merely do a job; they practice a craft they have committed to mastering over time.
This pursuit of mastery is personally meaningful because it is tied to who they are. Respect goes to those who demonstrate genuine depth in their field, whether they are engineers, teachers, artisans, or executives.
When working with French colleagues, recognize and engage their expertise. Give them opportunities to deepen their mastery. Assignments that develop their capabilities motivate more than assignments that merely fill time. They want to become better at what they do because their competence is part of their identity.
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