4 Leadership Lessons from Macron’s Public Slip-Up
Emmanuel Macron just went through a rough month, with Google searches for “Macron meme” skyrocketing 563%. First, his wife slaps him in public, then Italy’s PM Meloni rolls her eyes mid-summit, and now Trump’s calling him “publicity-seeking.” The collapse of authority every leader dreads. Whether you run a country, a team, or a startup, you’re only as powerful as the people around you let you be.
Politics is like playing poker – intense pressure, high stakes, and the art of keeping a poker face. One unintentional twitch can reveal a player’s hand, whether it’s a doubt or a bluff. Similarly, when a slap to the president or an eye-roll from a close ally gets caught on camera, it reveals cracks in that polished surface. Yes, presidents are human: they get blindsided, they can’t control everything others do. However, a seasoned player knows how to read the room and anticipate others’ moves – these are really helpful techniques for any person mastering their public image, because perception is often more important than truth.
What can we learn from moments like Macron’s recent slip-ups? The smartest play is probably to stay on message, take a controlled pause to reset, and pivot the narrative toward future goals and decisive action. The main mistake is over-explaining and justifying yourself. That kind of reaction only invites others to exploit it.
4 brutal leadership lessons from Macron’s very public stumble
- Address all issues early on
When someone acts out towards you as a leader in public, be it a spouse, employee, or advisor, it’s never a random outburst or a cry for attention. It’s usually the result of weeks and months of not being listened to behind the scenes. If you avoid tough conversations or dismiss feedback from those closest to you, then don’t be surprised if you have to deal with a scandal publicly like Macron had to. To avoid this sort of humiliation, schedule regular 1:1 feedback sessions with your closest partners or team members. Make it safe for them to say what they think before it becomes a public embarrassment.
- Analyse your public behavior
Macron isn’t a new politician, so he’s used to the spotlight and popularity. But that familiarity may have bred the exact carelessness that let his issues become public theatre. Leaders who start to believe they’re untouchable stop being careful around the people they work with. And that’s exactly what breeds conflicts. You may not get a slap in the face, but surely there will be consequences. The higher you rise, the stronger your self-discipline needs to be. Always analyse your public behavior, double-check your body language, and watch your tone. Charisma is very fragile, and likability won’t guarantee you as a leader stability if you are careless.
- Draw the line: no boundaries = no respect
It doesn’t matter if you’re running a business or a government; people observe how you handle personal relationships, too. Your relationship with your family or spouse is a reflection of you as a person. If you argue with your spouse in public, if your co-founder screams at you in meetings, or your team overrides your decisions, people will question your authority. Your leadership is measured by how you draw the line between closeness and subordination. Define what’s acceptable and what’s not, even with those closest to you, and then stop people if they cross the boundaries.
- Separate personal from work
Many leaders underestimate how much their emotional state affects their leadership presence. If you’re reactive, passive-aggressive, or moody, people will respond to your mood swings accordingly. Emotional self-regulation is an important soft skill in leadership. So, get a coach, a therapist, or learn some self-regulating exercises on your own – whatever allows you to remain composed at work.
Written by Lorena Armitage, Certified Business Coach (ICF and EMCC) at Gamblizard, and Co-founder of The Second C.