Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 13: recast the White Home into the Élysée – 5 guidelines for dealing with a strongman – INA NEWS
When French president Emmanuel Macron arrived in Washington for his first assembly with newly reelected US president Donald Trump, he may have hardly confronted a extra perplexing problem: He needed to persuade the proud and self-absorbed chief of the free world, who gave the impression to be on the top of his energy and lately had seemingly switched camp to the strategic adversary Russia whereas abandoning Western Europe, towards all odds to embrace the previous world’s views on the way forward for embattled Ukraine.
The clever and systemic method adopted by the French maverick and trickster to tug off this upset within the White Home is a timeless textbook instance of how you can efficiently take care of a mighty and narcissistic mega-leader by remodeling obvious weak point into actual energy by way of the usage of each conventional and novel maneuvers.
As an alternative of resorting to the quack nostrum of primitive and low cost flattery as many observers erroneously alleged, Macron took 5 interrelated sensible steps that hinged on a well-calibrated steadiness between the “three Fs” of friendliness, firmness and forthcomingness. Different movers and shakers across the globe are well-advised to emulate the next magic formulation for achievement when coping with highly effective and self-centered interlocutors.
1. Do your homework and benefit from the lion’s den
The French president had clearly accomplished all the required preparatory work earlier than the assembly along with his American counterpart, coming into the Oval Workplace with a sensible gameplan and a brief record of effectful and razor-sharp speaking factors. Amongst different issues, he apparently had reviewed beneficial historical past classes and former conferences with Trump and settled on crystal-clear goals. These included reengaging Europe within the Ukraine peace course of, exhibiting firmness in defending ethical ideas, making certain an correct studying of historical past, defending Ukrainian pursuits and, above all, acquiring dependable safety ensures for Ukraine to stop Russia from rekindling the conflict. Provided that the ENA alumnus had additionally dedicated all of the fruits of his homework to reminiscence, he subsequently was capable of communicate with out elaborate notes. It additionally seems that the French president had liaised with the French media beforehand, enabling him to orchestrate and choreograph subsequent occasions by calling upon a well-organized block of compatriot-journalists at opportune moments through the unfolding drama.
In distinction, Trump appeared to have performed little preparatory work, for essentially the most half preventing with a sword that had already been blunted. In the course of the photograph op within the Oval Workplace, he primarily regurgitated mantras and cliches (comparable to that the untestable declare that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would by no means have occurred beneath his watch). In the course of the concluding press briefing within the East Room, he learn a textual content that, judging by his note-fixated supply, he presumably had seen for the primary time. When preparedness meets unpreparedness, the ready one is poised to calm down and, as can be seen later, set the agenda and make vital positive aspects, too. Paradoxically, after you will have accomplished your research, you may act in an unstudied method!
Certainly, when sitting within the Oval Workplace – a veritable lion’s den designed to impress guests and put them on the incorrect foot – and standing within the East Room, the French president gave the impression to be totally comfy and immensely take pleasure in himself. He appeared to savor each second of the consequential encounters and, as a result of he was ready, may act in a pure and spontaneous method. In essence, the French president seems to have thought and behaved like a profitable sportsman who appears to be like ahead to a decisive international competitors watched by hundreds of thousands of individuals and enjoys his efficiency, whereas losers are timid and nervous. Maybe the best instance of such a real champion is the German tennis legend Boris Becker, who regarded the Heart Court docket in Wimbledon as his much-beloved front room!
Working from a place of interior energy, which is outwardly projected with calm and non-threatening confidence, is of utter significance when coping with highly effective leaders. These normally have a knack for locating weaknesses and elegantly exploiting them in a ruthless trend. As a rule, the strain exerted by the strongman will increase exponentially with larger perceived fragility.
2. Use impactful non-verbal communication
The French president Macron is known for his mastery of what I name the “politics of expressive tactility”, particularly for his elaborate rituals of shaking the palms and patting the shoulders of flabbergasted dignitaries, which border on manhandling. In 2017, in an indication of outwardly projected energy, he grabbed Trump’s palms extraordinarily tightly on the Champs Elysees in Paris, pulling and shaking them vehemently whereas tapping him on the shoulder for a felt eternity of 29 seconds. This time spherical, Trump, after snubbing his French counterpart by not assembly him on the entrance of the White Home upon arrival, tried to reciprocate, resulting in an virtually comical, televised tug-of-war handshake competitors between the 2 world leaders performing on a worldwide stage.
Whereas the jury may nonetheless be out on who gained this struggle for dominance, the Frenchman subsequently actually gained the higher hand by way of highly effective and situationally tailored non-verbal communication. His gestures, in a uncommon mix, exuded self-confidence, energy and assertiveness paired with kindness, openness and a willingness to attach. Within the Oval Workplace, he sat along with his legs unfold comfortably and authoritatively, his arms outstretched and palms firmly holding his knees, and searching barely from above, whereas usually barely leaning in direction of his interlocutor and even greedy the latter’s knees whereas smiling, thus combining uncompromising domination with joyful engagement. In the course of the subsequent press briefing, he usually turned to Trump when the latter was talking to point out that he was and listened actively. Whereas Macron normally saved shut eye contact along with his interlocutor, the US president usually starred into the room in a grim and defensive method. Furthermore, Macron normally appeared attentively into the encircling group, establishing contact and sucking in important indicators, whereas confidently elevating his eyebrows and knowledgably winking and smiling within the route of sure journalists. At instances, in a robust change of physique language, the French grasp communicator stretched out his index finger like a instructor, comparable to when he corrected Trump’s false declare that Europe had given all support to Ukraine solely within the type of loans. Macron’s highly effective non-verbal communication catalyzed and bolstered all subsequent measures taken to “conquer” the White Home.
3. Construct connection sincerely and kindly
The outgoing and responsive French president managed to construct rapport not solely by way of his mastery of non-verbal communication but in addition by way of his verbal prowess. Specifically, the genuine charmeur adjusted himself to the identical wavelength because the US president and put his interlocutor in a contented temper, which is of essential significance when coping with an overbearing, brash and irascible persona like Trump. The Frenchman managed to speak quietly and pleasantly, however – opposite to widespread claims within the press – was not a mere whisperer.
Utilizing the traditional rhetorical system of captatio benevolentiae (which is a Latin expression which means “seize of goodwill”), the suave French president kindly lauded his American counterpart for initiating peace talks to finish the conflict in Ukraine. It’s germane to this theme that almost all observers erroneously blamed Macron for utilizing flattery. In actuality, the acknowledgment that he lavished on Trump, removed from being an act of primitive and low cost bootlicking and sucking as much as a extra highly effective man, was honest, grounded in details and due to this fact credible, whereas being undergirded by a robust sense of gratitude.
In any case, breaking virtually three years of radio silence between Russia and the collective West, which was solely interrupted by occasional threats and insults, Donald Trump had taken the daring initiative to speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and subsequently remained undeterred by the widespread condemnation of this tactical gambit. Importantly, the US president ready the bottom for peace talks by dishing out with unhelpful, disparaging remarks.
Furthermore, to instantaneously set up widespread floor and construct sturdy rapport, Macron leveraged the social capital that he had constructed with Trump over a few years. In the course of the assembly within the Oval Workplace, the Frenchman burdened that he and Trump are private pals and that France and the US as nations had been on amical phrases by way of centuries. Each, through the photograph op and subsequent press briefing, he fondly and gratefully recalled the US president-elect’s go to to France in December 2024 on the event of the re-opening of Notre-Dame of Paris after a hearth had ravaged it, which, in accordance with Macron, meant quite a bit for the French individuals. Such repetition paid off. Trump may join properly with this docking piece from the latest previous, apprising these current within the Oval Workplace of the truth that Notre-Dame is a cathedral (!) and – succumbing to the common human urge to reciprocate – commending Macron for a “phantastic” restoration job.
In the course of the press briefing, Macron additionally skillfully picked up threads laid by Trump and emphasised the bond-building shared experiences on the nationwide degree throughout momentous occasions. Reiterating a theme talked about by his American counterpart, he highlighted how France had been united in friendship with the American revolutionaries and subsequently through the two world wars. The Frenchman managed to amplify the themes of friendship and union, stirring the discourse right into a route that was pertinent for his subsequent advocacy for supporting embattled Ukraine. He pulled off this feat by interesting to an inspiring shared core perception with nice readability, specifically, that it is very important defend peace and sovereignty and thus be on what he believes to be “the proper aspect of historical past”.
All through his interactions with the US strongman, Macron skillfully various social distance, alternating between courteous respect (comparable to when he referred to as his counterpart “Mr. President”) and informality (on these events when he simply spoke affectionately of “Pricey Donald” or just “Donald”). He additionally displayed modesty and addressed his counterpart with the suitable diploma of deference as a result of highly effective chief of the free world. For instance, when requested what recommendation he may give Trump on how you can receive efficient safety ensures from Putin, the Frenchman gave the next unassuming reply: “Look, I’ll by no means give any recommendation to President Trump.” As an alternative, he reframed his insights as a sharing of expertise, although in actuality, his factors served as stark classes in historical past supplied to Trump, who at instances seems to be naive. Macron made his classes vivid and compelling by weaving in tales, comparable to a reference to his seven-hour fruitless discussions with Putin earlier than the latter launched his particular navy operation.
4. Take initiative courageously and inconspicuously
The French president blended his mild bridge-building method with various levels of fearless firmness, thus rising above the mundane position of a mere Trump-Versteher and gaining beneficial credit score factors in France and the remainder of anti-Russian Europe. Particularly when coping with a strongman, sensible shows of energy are of important significance, since in lots of conditions involving back-alley fight and sandbox justice, the bully will solely be swayed by superior pressure.
The French president displayed braveness by not shying away from taking the initiative and setting the agenda even whereas being within the lion’s den, however did so in an unspectacular, unobtrusive and unimposing method. Two progressive and disruptive strikes stood out on this regard: performing as an orchestrator on overseas turf and elegantly switching languages to nice impact.
In keeping with conference, it’s the prerequisite of a number to name upon journalists in a press gathering. But in a radical and astonishing break with this ritual, President Macron at time orchestrated the press pool within the Oval Workplace himself with pure ease, appointing journalists whom he gave the proper to ask questions.
Furthermore, whereas the French former funding banker on many events spoke in English to speak immediately along with his counterpart and the remainder of the English-speaking surrounding, he neatly and politely opted for French in particular conditions and thus achieved nice influence. Even when he was within the Oval Workplace, he referred to as upon French journalists and gave in depth solutions in his native language. On the one hand, this insistence on French, which has been a standard behavior of many French leaders, was a show of patriotism. However extra importantly, this ploy remodeled weak point into energy by turning the state of being a visitor on a overseas turf into an asset, successfully remodeling the Oval Workplace into the French president’s reception room within the Palais de l’Élysée.
Extra particularly, by talking French, Macron put the normally talkative Trump on the defensive. In metaphorical phrases, he relegated the habitually dominating American Goliath into the surprising position of passive and impotent observer, who needed to take heed to the French David’s tractates with out comprehension. Trump’s physique language mentioned all of it – the mighty chief of the free world usually directed his eyes to the bottom or stared into empty house. On one event, Trump reacted in obvious self-ironic resignation by praising French as essentially the most lovely language on this planet whereas acknowledging that he had not understood a phrase!
Other than altering the ability dynamics, Macron additionally gained one other benefit by switching to French, that’s, the possibility to current a prolonged, candid and forthright argument, together with essential factors with which Trump didn’t agree, with out being interrupted by the latter. This prolonged parrhesia was as a consequence of two components: Firstly, Trump didn’t perceive the French half and thus couldn’t intervene, and secondly, it could have been very rude to interrupt the French woman who acted as translator.
Throughout his go to, Macron at instances additionally took initiative extra immediately, assertively and forcefully and exuded an aura of dominance, partly based mostly on a superior mind and data base. For instance, when Trump was requested whether or not the U.S. had actually agreed to close down a navy base in Greece, Macron, performing like a coach, directed Trump to different journalists, apparently as a result of he – in distinction to Trump who needed to ask his Secretary of State for recommendation – knew that this piece of reports was false, thus displaying that his grasp of American affairs was superior to that of the American president himself!
Transferring even greater on the size of non-confrontational forcefulness, Macron, when introduced with false claims, refused to easily suck it up. As an alternative, he basically fact-checked Trump, correcting his counterpart when he unfold the pretend information that Europe had loaned all support cash to Ukraine and explaining that Europe had offered a mixture of completely different financing automobiles, together with “actual cash”. Trump who clearly had not ready for being challenged may solely retort with a weak “When you consider that, it’s okay with me”.
Macron bolstered his place of energy by reaffirming ethical ideas. For instance, he acknowledged his choice for not mechanically utilizing frozen Russian belongings to compensate Ukraine, since this might represent a breach of worldwide legislation. In fact, it must be famous as a caveat that his stance on this subject may change.
Once more, Macron amplified his message with powerfully self-assertive physique language. Initially of his charming rebuke concerning Trump’s false declare associated to loans, which he prefaced by “No, in truth, to be frank”, he firmly however gently positioned his hand on Trump’s proper arm and held it down, as a delicate dominator signaling the US president to be silent. Curiously, Trump partly mimicked Macron’s free actions of palms through the reality checking episode. This meant that there was a excessive diploma of harmonious synchronicity regardless of the US president in essence being chided whereas remaining doubtful in regards to the details introduced by Macron.
5. Gently acquire and safe buy-in
Closing the circle in a hoop composition from preparation to consolidation, the French president scored a number of beneficial factors and nudged his American counterpart into the specified route, pocketing some vital fast wins, usually by way of the backdoor. At instances, he managed to maneuver Trump, who is commonly accused of repeating the narrative of the Russian “enemy”, to parrot Macron’s speaking factors.
In fact, it must be famous as a caveat on the outset that given the US president’s notoriously erratic conduct, it’s removed from sure that Macron’s positive aspects represent a steady possession. It’s adequate for Trump to make some informal statements denying what had been mentioned or implied through the conferences with Macron to conclude that the Frenchman’s success had been fleeting in spite of everything. In fact, such a denial would come at a price to Trump, since he as soon as once more would lose credibility, as occurred so usually due to his many false claims and U-turns. For instance, after calling Ukrainian chief Vladimir Zelensky a dictator, he subsequently feigned bewilderment, saying in a smug tone: “I can’t consider I mentioned that”. However, reaping vital positive aspects at the least for a second from just a few comparatively quick conferences on one single day on overseas territory constitutes already a major achievement. So how did the Frenchman pull it off?
Firstly, Macron, not like many different leaders – as a consequence of his wonderful preparation, bridge-building efforts and agenda-setting initiative, all catalyzed and bolstered by skillful non-verbal communication – managed to speak key messages, ticking off his fastidiously ready speaking factors, with out being reduce quick, bullied, condemned and corrected by the habitually overbearing US president, who tends to take issues personally. For instance, the Frenchman was capable of painting Russia because the “aggressor” with out objections from the US president and his stance that that Russia must pay for the human and materials havoc it wrought one Ukraine. He additionally expressed his nice respect and admiration for the bravery and resistance of the Ukrainian individuals and insisted on Ukraine’s sovereignty. Macron additionally contemplated constructing the capability of the Ukrainian navy with US credibility.
Clearly, one must be cautious to keep away from developing an argumentum ex silentio, reasoning and asseverating that as a result of one’s interlocutor had not mentioned something, he due to this fact mechanically agreed. However provided that the shrewd US president normally instantly rebukes all vital statements with which he doesn’t agree, his silence was at the least conspicuous. Other than being charmed by Macron, it’s attainable that Trump nonetheless reserves for himself the choice of upping navy strain towards Russia if it doesn’t bow to all of his calls for and doesn’t assist him to realize his private plans, particularly provided that Russia is a companion of Iran, which is the archfoe of the US and Trump’s darling, Israel.
Secondly, the French president obtained outright positive aspects, getting a foot within the door and nudging the US president within the desired route. For instance, Trump confirmed that the US is “serving to Ukraine like no one’s ever helped Ukraine earlier than”. Moreover, the US president agreed to the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, which Macron needs to make use of to discourage Russia from launching one other invasion of Ukraine.
Curiously, on this case, the French president apparently managed to catch his American counterpart off-guard and sow confusion, prompting him to make an informal declare whose veracity seems to be uncertain. Extra particularly, Trump affirmed that Putin would consent to the presence of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Trump even doubled down by relating that he had particularly requested Putin this query and that the Russian president allegedly has “no issues” with it. One motive for why Trump may need lowered his guard is that he was overrelaxed as a consequence of Macron’s success in placing him comfy. Few individuals know what Putin actually instructed him, however the truth that his overseas minister, Sergey Lavrov, after the dialog between Trump and Putin, categorically rejected the thought of permitting European troops into Ukraine – a transparent place that was subsequently reiterated by Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov – at the least shed some doubt on Trump’s account or represent a touch that the US president might have misunderstood the Putin concerning a difficulty that’s of utmost significance to Russia within the grand scheme of issues.
Much more importantly, when requested whether or not the European troops in Ukraine could have “backing from US troops”, the US president answered within the affirmative, saying: “We’re going to have a backing of some form”, which could be understood as a promise by the US president that the European troops would get some kind of US assist. It involves a shock that this later potential U-turn by the chief of the free world, which quantities to the American backstop that had been a lot coveted by Europe, has not been extensively seen, even when it was solely an ephemeral coverage stance that may be deserted very quickly.
The French president used skillful tactical maneuvers – together with highly effective rhetorical gadgets – to cement his wins. To begin with, he usually spoke in “we” phrases to venture unity and insinuate implied consent from this interlocutor. At instances, he packaged essential conjectures and imputations in regards to the US place as mere after-thought, which may simply get overheard and thus stay apparently legitimate as an undisputed reality. A very good living proof is Macron’s above-mentioned curiosity in constructing Ukraine’s navy capability after a peace deal, which he accompanied with the following consequential assertion: “We see US credibility right here.”
As well as, the Frenchman repeated the US president’s guarantees, amongst different issues, by paraphrasing and summarizing them at a given endpoint. All alongside, he was cautious to present possession and thus credit score to his narcissistic American counterpart. Curiously, this ploy may even be used for transferring possession for one’s personal concepts to others.
Furthermore, Macron at instances appeared to place phrases into Trump’s mouth in a courteous and deferential method with out being subsequently corrected. For instance, the Frenchman acknowledged: “We don’t need to preempt any kind of discussions which are at the moment underway, however we do share the identical goal of constructing this lasting peace.” But it isn’t clear whether or not Trump, who’s interested by fast wins achieved on a transactional foundation, is finally interested by actually successful the peace. Moreover, Macron claimed that Ukraine throughout the previous few years had battled not just for its personal independence and sovereignty, but in addition for what he referred to as “our collective safety” and held the entrance on this regard. This assertion was bolstered by Macron making the next conjecture: “Nobody on this room needs to stay in a world the place it’s the legislation of the strongest and worldwide borders could be violated from someday to the subsequent by anybody.” Once more, it’s removed from apparent that the freewheeling US president, who’s eager on annexing Greenland and Canada and acquire management over the Panama Canal would agree, however his silence was at the least conspicuous and confirmed his unwillingness to struggle a public battle towards Macron.
Moreover, the French maverick appealed to Trump’s super-ego in an unostentatious and discreet method. For instance, Macron implied that it could be an indication of weak point (which the US president, after all, needs to keep away from in any respect expense) if the peace would represent a give up by Ukraine. He amplified this warning by reiterating his demand for safety ensures for this nation after a ceasefire that should additionally safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and full freedom of negotiation.
In conclusion, leaders around the globe are well-advised to observe the above-mentioned 5 timeless guidelines that assist to efficiently deal with a self-centered strongman. Thoughts you: When a robust interlocutor like Trump calls you a troublesome negotiator, you understand that you’ve got failed, as a result of this title is normally condescendingly conferred on weaklings.
Put in a nutshell, the French president Macron adopted a versatile and balanced method, skillfully leveraging his foreignness and avoiding pointless confrontation, to safe and consolidate beneficial positive aspects. Importantly, as a substitute of merely kowtowing to the US president and giving the shop away, he neatly various unassuming pliability with decided firmness in a continent trend, attaining an optimum mix of strategies in the long run.
The French president’s creative and versatile “Romanesque” type is attribute of a folks that needed to stay for a very long time beneath the rule of the Roman conqueror and, with a view to survive and prosper, wanted to be extremely adaptable. This flexibility contrasts sharply with the US president’s Anglo-Saxon cussed and brash sturdiness (Trump has German and Scottish ancestors), honed throughout centuries of conquest – with the one viable different to whole victory being whole give up.
This time spherical, the Frenchman – as a result of above five-fold success recipe – proved to be fortunate in being the winner within the epic battle between the 2 pure tendencies, for a treasured second changing weak point into energy and conquering the White Home in consequence. In any case, to amplify a well-known saying, luck is the assembly of alternative with preparation, dexterity and flexibility!
Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 13: recast the White Home into the Élysée – 5 guidelines for dealing with a strongman
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