93% of French Employees Misjudge Themselves at Work, Survey Finds

A Paradox of Self-Declared Clarity

According to the survey conducted among 3,114 French professionals between April 14 and 21, 2026, 56% of respondents consider themselves self-aware. Eight out of ten French individuals believe they are at least as self-aware as the average person, while 64% claim to know themselves well. Meanwhile, 59% affirm they are highly aware of the impact their behavior has on their colleagues. However, 93% admit to having received feedback completely at odds with their self-perception: 23% « often, » 49% « sometimes, » and 21% « rarely."

Defensive Reflexes in Response to Criticism

When faced with negative feedback, the reactions of the French reveal defense mechanisms. Thus, 23% question the legitimacy of the person providing the feedback, and 21% attempt to justify themselves, compared to only 17% who try to understand the feedback to make progress. Regarding their weaknesses, 53% believe they are the best judges of their own faults, while 19% trust their colleagues' assessments. When it comes to receiving blunt truths, 41% claim they are ready to hear them to improve, whereas 42% refuse or are strongly hesitant. Finally, 49% fear that requesting honest feedback could undermine their professional image.