So far, 2023 has been a rocky ride for the French President and his government.
There’s never a dull day in my “Douce France.”
Here’s more context and some universal learnings if you’re unfamiliar with the situation.
Massive protests, strikes, and nationwide tension caused by the pension reform passed without parliamentary support. Riots and lootings – with billions of dollars of damage – ignited by the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old kid by a policeman in Nanterre.
Some will say today’s crises in French Society are the fruit of decades of “laisser-faire” and avoidance. They’ve turned so complex, and the views so irreconcilable that it all seems unsolvable.
Emmanuel Macron and his government have an army of counselors, advisors, and experts in crisis management and public consultation.
And the government’s response to these crises has been a mixed bag: firm and close-minded in imposing the pension reform: cautious language, and heavy police presence to temper the violent protests following the death of the teenager.
I’m no political or societal expert. I mostly know business environments, and not all strategies may directly translate. But here’s what I’d say to Emmanuel Macron and the French Government if they happen to seek any inspiration from business leaders:
Practice empathy and emotional intelligence.
Displaying more empathy and emotional intelligence will foster understanding and connection. It was probably lacking the most in the pension reform – which looked like an ill-explained directive. Genuinely sensing people’s concerns, the government would be better positioned to build rapport and trust with the public, contributing to a more constructive dialog.
Be active listeners and do something about it.
It involves attentively listening to different stakeholders’ concerns, grievances, and demands. I mean, the people, including protesters and those affected by the abound crises, to understand their perspectives and help address their concerns. As importantly, don’t stop there. Make sure you act on what you hear.
Communicate transparently and clearly.
Emmanuel Macron and his government could focus on providing clear, concise, and non-confusing information to the public, addressing their questions and concerns openly and honestly. That’s even more essential during times of crisis. Transparent communication can help mitigate rumors, misinformation, and misunderstandings that often exacerbate tensions.
Collaborate and build alignment.
In the business world, the best leaders collaborate and build alignment to find mutually agreeable solutions. The government could encourage dialog between all relevant stakeholders, including unions, civil society organizations, and representatives of affected communities. By involving more than political voices in the decision-making process, it becomes possible to identify common ground and work towards solutions that will stick.
Learn from past mistakes.
Mistakes on similar topics were made in the past – both in France and abroad. Emmanuel Macron and his government could assess these previous instances of social unrest or crises to identify areas for improvement in crisis management and public dialog. Analyzing what worked and what didn’t will help shape more effective responses in the future.
In such situations, there are many shades of gray. France’s leaders are trying to apply many of my recommended approaches already. Still, it feels like an explosive situation where no one seems to be in control.
Little do I know about leading a country of 68 million souls.
But whatever the problem, one should expect it, embrace it, and grow from it. Small incidents give insight into major structural issues you would otherwise not pay attention to. And these seemingly overwhelming situations can give birth to outside-of-the-box solutions with true, long-lasting positive impacts.
So, Mr. President, don’t waste a “good” crisis. If handled effectively, you can build more unity, and everyone will grow from it.