From the french foreign Legion to the corporate world: lessons on cohesion from Col. de Sercey
Yesterday at the Hennessy Park Hotel, during the Enjeux workshop - an annual conference organised by Eclosia for its employees around a current theme - Colonel Guillaume de Sercey, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, captivated the audience by sharing his insights on cohesion, commitment, and humility within teams. He placed particular emphasis on the “human side” of the Foreign Legion, which has existed for 200 years. Drawing on his military experience, he drew compelling parallels between corporate management and the practices of the Legion. His presentation, peppered with anecdotes, resonated with the audience of senior executives and HR managers, sparking numerous questions.
At the heart of the Foreign Legion, which brings together 145 nationalities, cohesion is a fundamental issue. The former officer described the institution as a place where individuals - some of whom are “scarred by life”-find a new purpose and a reason to fight. The secret to this transformation lies in one word: connection.
According to him, these lessons can be applied in the business world, where such practices can be adapted to strengthen cohesion in the workplace. By focusing on connection, cohesion, and humility, companies can create work environments where every individual finds their place and contributes to collective success. These principles are essential for anyone seeking to boost engagement and unity within their teams.
For Colonel de Sercey, engagement is a matter of management. “According to a recent study, most employees leave their company because of their manager. This clearly shows that the level of employee engagement is strongly linked to the quality of management,” he said. To him, good management is a blend of kindness, consideration, and high standards. He criticized the notion of “buddy management” and argued that a structured framework is often more effective. “Many employees seek a structured environment that offers not only boundaries but also a sense of security. In my view, management should be the primary driver of engagement, combining empathy, respect, and clear expectations. It’s essential to set firm boundaries so that everyone can grow in a respectful and balanced environment.”
A leader must also be humble, as authentic humility helps build a strong corporate culture and becomes a lever for performance. “Acknowledging the contributions of your team without overstating your own achievements is a sign of true leadership. As a commanding officer in the Foreign Legion, I saw myself as a dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants - able to lead those giants thanks to their strength. Men and women are the heart of any organisation, and it is by valuing each of them that a strong and high-performing company culture is built.” Far from being abstract concepts, cohesion, commitment, and humility are tangible realities that every company can nurture to achieve success.