From Baudin to the Boardroom: Navigating the Cultural Waters Between France and Australia
Long before expats were booking one-way tickets to Sydney or Melbourne, French explorers were leaving their mark on Australian soil. In the early 1800s, Nicolas Baudin and his crew charted vast stretches of the southern coastline, naming places like Cape Naturaliste, Hamelin Bay, and D’Entrecasteaux National Park.
Today, the spirit of exploration continues, but in a different form. French professionals arriving in Australia are not navigating new continents; they’re navigating modern workplaces shaped by British influence, Aussie informality, and a multicultural ethos that prizes openness and adaptability.
While France and Australia are both developed nations with global perspectives, their workplace cultures reflect surprisingly different assumptions about leadership, communication, and collaboration. Understanding these differences is key to avoiding missteps and building strong, productive relationships from day one.
One of the most immediate differences French expats will notice is Australia’s relaxed relationship with hierarchy. In French workplaces, structure and formality still carry weight—titles matter, decisions often flow top-down, and a certain level of deference is expected. In contrast, Australian organisations tend to be egalitarian. Leaders are approachable, teams are encouraged to challenge ideas, and collaboration often happens across levels with minimal fuss. For newcomers, this means adjusting to a more casual tone, showing initiative early, and getting comfortable with first-name interactions, even with senior executives.
Communication styles also differ greatly. French professionals are used to indirect, context-rich conversations where intellectual debate is a form of engagement. In Australia, the communication style is refreshingly direct. People say what they mean and appreciate brevity. There is also a strong value placed on humour, often used to break tension or build connection. For French expats, adapting to this tone may take time, but it is a worthwhile investment. Clear, concise messaging and a relaxed delivery go a long way in earning trust.
Then there is the matter of risk and structure. French workplaces are often rule-based, valuing thorough planning and technical expertise before execution. Australians, however, lean into pragmatism. A “give it a go” attitude prevails, with less concern for rigid procedures and more focus on results. Success is often defined not by flawless preparation but by learning through doing. This is the impact of Empirical Reasoning in comparison to Theoretical Reasoning. For French professionals, this means embracing a bit of flexibility, taking action even when not everything is perfectly defined, and understanding that a fast, iterative approach is often more effective than a polished but slow one.
While learning these cultural nuances is an important first step, thriving in a new country requires something deeper: Cultural Intelligence (CQ). It is not just about knowing what is different; it is about having the awareness, agility, and empathy to adjust in real time. With the right mindset, French expats can turn cultural contrasts into career strengths, bringing together the best of both worlds, French precision and Australian pragmatism.
From the age of explorers to the modern global workplace, the journey between France and Australia continues. And just like Baudin’s expedition, today’s expats are discovering new ways to connect, contribute, and thrive across cultures.
If your team is ready to break through cultural barriers and build stronger international relationships, our training programs are the perfect next step.