Bonjour, mon ami. 👋

We are home from our summer living in France, so I thought I would share some reflections and lessons on life, leadership, and innovation from the time.

My wife Heather and our daughters deemed this our summer of Joie de Vivre. Joie de vivre is a French saying that means the “joy of life.”

Joie de vivre is about being fully present in the moment and with the people in front of you. The joy of living is not only about happiness, but about embracing whatever life offers in the moment.

Our intention for the summer was to create a rhythm of life, work, family, and play – a rhythm of being present with each other and in each moment.

Friends have asked me what my favorite memory of the time was. For me, it was the simple rhythm of life we created – each morning started with writing, followed by a long lunch, perhaps a walk in the park. Given the time difference, meetings weren’t until late afternoon, followed by an appropriately late French dinner at 8 or 9 pm. Each Friday during our time was taken off, and our family went on a long weekend adventure somewhere around the country – Normandy, the Loire Valley, and Paris.

I’m also delighted to announce that I finished the manuscript of the book! 📖🎉👏

As you read this, I meet with my publishing team in a few hours. There are more steps before the book will be available, but I’m celebrating the wins along the way.

In the meantime, today, I’d like to share five lessons on life, leadership, and innovation from our Joie de Vivre summer en France.

Joie de Vivre - Lesson #1

Take Pride in Your Work

Every shop, vendor, and seemingly every profession in France takes pride in its work. This pride is evident in how it displays its wares or in the care it puts into packaging, whether a baguette, a wedge of cheese, or a souvenir. Every storefront, every cafe, and every artisan proudly displays their best.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether we place the same pride in our work in America. When you are proud of your work, you tell others about it, put your work out there, and always bring your A-game. It can be scary to put yourself out there – every Wave Report I write has the potential to embarrass me. But I still put it out and put my best into it. I’m proud to show it to the world, and the risk is worth the reward.

💡 Takeaway: We are all artisans in one way or another. By proudly putting our craftsmanship out there, we challenge ourselves to bring our best and inspire others to do the same.

Joie de Vivre - Lesson #2

Slow Down, Notice, Be Present

I find French cafe culture fascinating. It’s the quintessential place where the French sense of time plays out, and it’s common to see friends sitting at a cafe, chairs turned out, watching the world, and conversing for an hour or more.

Don’t mistake me – when the French are headed somewhere, they almost always seem in a hurry. But time seems to stand still when they are with friends or in these cultural moments.

One often misunderstood cultural experience is being served at a cafe. French servers can be hard to find. They don’t check on you regularly. My American friends would interpret this as poor service at best and rude at worst. In America, if a server isn’t checking on you every five minutes, something is wrong. But in France, hovering around would be considered rude – they assume you will take your time and don’t want to bother you.

The week after we returned, Heather and I went to a restaurant. The American server stopped by with the check the moment we put our forks down – “No rush, just want to make sure you have this when you are ready.” In France, we might have had another hour or two. Talk about rude Americans!

💡 Takeaway: Slowing down allows you to notice things you wouldn’t otherwise. It also enables you to be present and invest in relationships.

Joie de Vivre - Lesson #3

Respect (and learn from) History

We noticed this in multiple countries we visited, but the French have respect and care for history. It’s hard not to when everywhere you turn, there is some historical landmark – a 12th-century church, a chateau, a bridge. They are surrounded by history. But at the same time, taking such history for granted would be tempting – it’s everywhere.

When I think about our organizations and culture, we in America tend not to respect and study what has come before. But even worse, and potentially more dangerous, we don’t learn from it.

I recently came across this quote:

“A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.”

Robert Heinlein, American author (1907-1988)

In every organization I’ve worked with, I seek to understand its history. I seek out the resident historians, those who have gone before. What can I learn? What a gift – understanding where we’ve been can do a lot to inform where we go next.

💡 Takeaway: History is a rich teacher – it tends to repeat itself, and the more we respect and learn from it, the more we can grow and avoid past mistakes as we navigate into the future.

Joie de Vivre - Lesson #4

Create Healthy Rhythms

There was a certain rhythm to life that struck me as healthy. For example, the local market in our town was three days a week. People would walk downtown to the market to get their fresh produce for that day, perhaps a baguette from the boulangerie, some meat from the boucherie, and cheese from the fromager. Afternoons might involve an espresso and a walk in the park.

Shops would close for lunch, and artisans had one day a week when they would close to give their people rest and time away.

Rhythms help us in many ways. I asked ChatGPT to help me create a list of benefits of rhythms in settings like this. Here’s what it had to say:

Creating healthy rhythms can have numerous benefits for individuals and families. Here are some key advantages:

Improved Mental Health: Regular routines provide a sense of stability and predictability, which can reduce anxiety and stress. Knowing what to expect each day helps create a calming effect on the mind.
Enhanced Physical Health: Activities like daily walks, visiting the market, and enjoying an espresso can encourage physical activity, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health, weight management, and overall fitness.
Stronger Social Connections: Engaging in regular activities in the community, such as going to the market or a local café, fosters a sense of belonging and helps build relationships with neighbors and local vendors.
Increased Productivity: Establishing a routine helps manage time effectively, leading to increased productivity. When certain tasks become habitual, it frees up mental energy to focus on more complex or creative endeavors.
Better Sleep Patterns: Consistent daily routines, especially those that include regular meal times and physical activity, contribute to better sleep hygiene and quality of rest.
Cultural Appreciation: Participating in local customs and daily practices can deepen one’s appreciation and understanding of the culture, allowing for a more immersive and enriching experience.
Mindfulness and Presence: Daily rituals encourage mindfulness, offering moments to slow down and appreciate the present. Whether savoring a cup of espresso or enjoying a stroll, these moments can enhance overall well-being.
Family Bonding: Shared routines, such as family meals or outings, strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. They offer opportunities for connection and communication.
Enhanced Creativity: Regular exposure to new sights, sounds, and experiences, such as those found at a market or during a walk, can spark creativity and inspiration.
Discipline and Self-Control: Establishing and maintaining routines cultivates discipline and self-control, which can be beneficial in other areas of life, including work and personal goals.

💡 Takeaway: Creating rhythms can contribute to our health and well-being, increase our connection to others, and improve the quality of our work.

Joie de Vivre - Lesson #5

Live for Relationship

I got the sense that people live for and invest in relationships – whether the aforementioned hours at a cafe or even how they greet friends with a kiss – relationships are clearly important.

Sometimes, I wonder if we live for work and relationships come second. There is a depth and enthusiasm for friendship that I think we could all learn from.

💡 Takeaway: Invest in relationships for those around you. Develop friendships.

Overall, it was a beautiful experience. I was proud of how our family responded to being in a different culture with different practices and a different language. I highly recommend getting outside your immediate context, even if that doesn’t involve moving to another country!

Until next week… Bonne Journée and Surfs Up! 🌊

- Dave

About the Author | Dave Raley

Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps non-profits and businesses create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of a weekly trendspotting report called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.

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Joie de Vivre