leadership
/li.dœʁ.ʃip/masculine
The English phrase 'leadership' is translated into French as leadership.
leadership refers to the capacity to lead. It is a direct translation of the English term and is widely understood across French-speaking regions.
Meaning: capacity to lead (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While leadership is a common anglicism used in professional and formal French, more traditional French terms like direction or commandement may be used depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun leadership is masculine and is used with the definite article le.
How do you pronounce it?
/li.dœʁ.ʃip/
Did you know?
- While leadership describes a skill, the French term dirigeant refers to the person in charge, but it is derived from the word for 'steering' a ship.
- Because leadership is an anglicism, it can be used as a 'prestige marker' in French marketing and high-end corporate communications to sound more modern and international.
- The French government's official body for language, the Académie Française, often suggests using gestion or direction to replace anglicisms like leadership.
Examples in context
- Le leadership nécessite de gérer des hommes, mais exige de parvenir à des compromis.Leadership requires to manage men, but demands to reach compromises.This sentence shows how leadership relates to managing people and reaching compromises.Tatoeba #908823 by U2FS, translation #1747368 by belgavox
- Lincoln est admiré pour son leadership.Lincoln is admired because of his leadership.This sentence illustrates how someone can be admired for their leadership.Tatoeba #510874 by SUZIE, translation #29650 by CM
- Le leadership de cette entreprise est exemplaire.The leadership of this company is exemplary.
- Le dirigeant motive son équipe à atteindre de nouveaux objectifs.The leader motivates their team to achieve new goals.
- Le chef doit prendre des décisions difficiles.The leader must make tough decisions.
- Le meneur du groupe propose de nouvelles idées.The leader of the group suggests new ideas.
- Son leadership impressionne toute l'équipe.His leadership impresses the whole team.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing a job candidate.
- NathanQue penses-tu de son leadership ?What do you think of his leadership?
- ChloéC'est son point fort, je trouve.I find it to be his strong point.
- NathanIl sait motiver les gens rapidement.He knows how to motivate people quickly.
- ChloéOui, son leadership est vraiment impressionnant.Yes, his leadership is really impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leadership” translations and entries leadership, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
