From international to human: a vision of management across cultures

Your career has taken you to several countries and cultures. How has this international experience enriched your vision of management and communication?

It all began in France, in a structured, clear environment. Then Switzerland brought me rigour and a different pace. In Polynesia, my bearings were shaken up. I had to slow down, observe and listen differently. In Africa, working with NGOs in the field, I discovered another way of getting involved, one that was more grounded and more collective. And in Asia, as part of a volunteer mission, I understood that solidarity cannot be imposed. It is built by listening to real needs, with humility.

This journey has been anything but linear. It has been woven together through experiences, encounters and adjustments. Each place has required me to learn a new language — not necessarily linguistic, but cultural, relational and human. I have learned to understand without always mastering everything, to intervene without imposing, to make myself useful without taking up all the space.

Today, I don't see myself as a «manager» in the traditional sense. I facilitate exchanges. I create spaces where everyone can contribute, make their voice heard and take their place. For me, the collective is a continuous construction, never static.

We often talk about soft skills as an extra. But for me, they are fundamental. Listening, rephrasing, adjusting, being patient: these are the skills that make collaboration truly dynamic. And sustainable.

In this fast-paced life, I quickly realised that top-down management doesn't work. You don't impose yourself, you gently insinuate yourself. You learn to feel the rhythms before you act. What I discovered is that true leadership, the kind that lasts, is woven together by many hands. I am not a team leader. I am a conveyor of meaning, a weaver of connections, a bridge between worlds.

In your professional practice, can you tell us about a specific situation where soft skills made all the difference?

Another day, another scene: a classroom with 12 first-year Bachelor's students on a work-study programme. One week in class, three weeks in a company. The kind of rhythm that is tiring, fragmented, and does not facilitate connection. What I felt was that they did not know each other. They were there, sitting a little stiffly, discreetly, shyly. Their eyes were shifty. No one really dared to take up space. When I asked questions afterwards, I discovered that it was their first week of class.

So I blew on that ice. Not with content, not with slides. But with playfulness, humanity, movement. Ice breakers, energisers, group exercises... the idea wasn't just to get to know each other. It was to see each other. Really see each other. To break down walls, to dare to speak up, to look each other in the eye, to smile.

Then we worked on public speaking. Gently. No big leap straight into the arena. Small steps, one-on-one exchanges, spontaneous sharing. At their own pace. And then, at the end of the week, I set them a slightly crazy challenge: to do a mini stand-up routine, three minutes on a topic of their choice. In front of their classmates. And if they wanted to, in front of the teaching team as well.

You know what? They all said yes, even the shyest ones. All of them. They played along, some with stage fright, others with humour, all with sincerity. It wasn't perfect, no. But it was lively, touching, real. And today, they still write to me. To say thank you. Not for a lesson in CM. But for creating a space. A group. A cocoon where we dare. Where we also learn to talk about ourselves, to stand tall. Together.

Because sometimes, the real skill we pass on isn't a technique. It's permission. To express oneself. To connect. To take one's place. And that... that stays with us.

Based on your experience in the field, what are the two or three interpersonal skills most sought after by companies today?

In practice, one element remains constant: the desire for authentic, fluid and effective relationships. In the current landscape, four qualities stand out as being particularly sought after:

• Relational adaptability : being able to switch from a collaborative approach to a more directive approach depending on the people involved and the situation.
• Active listening : to perceive the real needs behind words, implications, beyond appearances.
• Assertive communication : expressing oneself clearly while respecting others, a powerful lever in hybrid and multicultural environments.
• Resilience : maintaining commitment and a constructive attitude in the face of tension, setbacks or uncertainty. It is a kind of inner strength that inspires confidence and motivates others.

In an ever-changing professional world, these interpersonal skills are becoming essential foundations. They are not merely a matter of competence: they are decisive.

The professional world is changing rapidly. How do you see the future of management and communication skills in an increasingly digitalised context?

Today, everything is changing. Screens are everywhere. Teams are spread across time zones, communication is sometimes asynchronous, sometimes fast-paced. But the core of the business remains human.

The real challenge is to connect through digital technology. To instil a culture and team spirit without being physically present. To inspire, motivate and excite from a distance.

Creating content, managing communities, yes. But above all: being genuine. Because the more formats there are, the rarer sincerity becomes. And the more precious.

Digital technology does not replace soft skills. It reveals them. It puts them in the spotlight. It makes them indispensable.

What advice would you give to our OSAM Formations learners to effectively develop their communication and management skills?

To you, the students of OSAM Formations, I would say: be curious. Read, explore, experiment. Dare to step outside your comfort zone. Get involved in group projects, step outside the academic setting and go out and experience the real world.

Also demonstrate resilience: accept detours, failures and challenges. These are what sharpen your judgement and shape your attitude.

Finally, cultivate the quality of your relationships. Listening, clarity and authenticity are your greatest strengths. It is the way you connect with others that will shape your professional impact. So invest in people. That's where it all begins.

Stay focused on your goals!