The Reluctance to Manage: French Employees Shy Away from Leadership Roles
A new survey reveals French employees are increasingly reluctant to pursue management roles, highlighting cultural and workload concerns.
Key Points
- • 56% of HR managers in France report reluctance among employees to become managers, compared to 36% globally.
- • Negative cultural perceptions of managers as 'petits chefs' contribute to this trend.
- • French management practices are characterized by a more hierarchical structure.
- • 77% of managers in France work longer hours, discouraging employees from aspiring to leadership roles.
A recent Cegos survey has unveiled a significant reluctance among French employees to assume managerial positions, surpassing trends observed in other countries. The survey results indicate that 56% of HR managers in France report employees' hesitance to take on such roles, starkly higher than the 36% average elsewhere. This reluctance, coined 'conscious unbossing' by respondents from the UK and the US, raises questions about the underlying cultural factors at play.
The reluctance to pursue managerial roles in France is heavily influenced by cultural narratives surrounding management. Negative portrayals of entry-level bosses, often depicted as 'petits chefs'—overbearing subordinates struggling with pressure from their superiors and teams—contribute to a general aversion towards these positions. Laurence Ballereaud, a project director at Cegos, highlights that the more hierarchical nature of French management compared to other European nations may exacerbate this issue. Reports from the French General Inspectorate of Labor Affairs suggest that the vertical management style prevalent in France incites anxiety among potential managerial candidates.
Additionally, the survey reveals that 77% of managers in France experience increased workloads, with long working hours becoming a deterrent for aspiring leaders. Many feel that the demands of managerial roles are not justified by corresponding pay increases, underscoring the need for a shift towards more horizontal and participative management models in French workplaces.
As France grapples with these challenges, the results of the Cegos survey underscore a pressing need for a reevaluation of management practices to attract talent into these roles and improve overall employee satisfaction.