French people are motivated by the pursuit of a life well-lived, not merely a career well-advanced. Professional achievement is one component of a good life, but it is not the whole of it. The French invest serious effort in meals, conversation, culture, family, and personal renewal — and they protect time for these things deliberately.
This is not laziness; it is a different understanding of what motivation serves. Work enables a quality of life that includes but extends beyond professional success.
When working with French colleagues, respect their boundaries around personal time. Do not interpret their commitment to living well as lack of professional ambition. They can be intensely dedicated to their work — but they will not sacrifice the quality of their life for it, and they do not respect systems that demand this.
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