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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Macron hits the ground ‘running’

French President Emmanuel Macron with Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee and others during a meeting in Mumbai. Mumbai: After landing in Mumbai in late hours of Monday (February 16), French President Emmanuel Macron barely took any time to rest and hopped into his sportswear just hours later for a jog at Mumbai’s iconic Marine Drive promenade, much to the disbelief and delight of the early risers there. Macron (48) was clad in a navy-blue t-shirt, black shorts and wore comfy...

Macron hits the ground ‘running’

French President Emmanuel Macron with Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee and others during a meeting in Mumbai. Mumbai: After landing in Mumbai in late hours of Monday (February 16), French President Emmanuel Macron barely took any time to rest and hopped into his sportswear just hours later for a jog at Mumbai’s iconic Marine Drive promenade, much to the disbelief and delight of the early risers there. Macron (48) was clad in a navy-blue t-shirt, black shorts and wore comfy running shoes. His adherence to his legendary fitness routine sure was a high-stakes blend of diplomacy, politics and symbolism that displayed French soft power in the country’s glam capital and financial powerhouse. As Macron jogged and paced ahead with a retinue of hard-faced security officials around him, Mumbai’s early-summer humidity seemed to affect him little. Morning walkers and office-goers in the area however, were pleasantly surprised at the sight of a European head-of-state passing by like it was just another normal day in his daily routine. The French Prez knew this and even smiled at the crowds, acknowledging them with a wave as the locals jostled to record videos which later went viral on social media. Memorial Visit The light morning mood soon made way for a sombre tribute to victims of 26/11 terror attack at the memorial in the main lobby of Hotel Taj Mahal Palace opposite the Gateway of India. Macron visited the memorial with his wife, First Lady Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron. “We paid tributes to the victims of the 2008 attacks. To their families and loved ones and to India: France stands with you. In the face of terrorism, unity and determination,” said Macron emphasizing solidarity between New Delhi and Paris against global terror. At a luncheon, a delegation from Bollywood’s bigwigs met Macron and discussed the cultural and cinematic ties between the two nations. Ordinary Indian became familiar with the marvels of the French capital almost six decades ago through the superhit musical, ‘An Evening In Paris’ (1967). Among those seen were some of Indian cinema’s biggest names like Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha and Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej. “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together,” Macron posted on X, and even expressed interest in deeper film co-productions with Bollywood. Kapoor described the interaction as ‘inspiring’ with exchange of ideas on cinema and cultural collaboration between the two countries, and Bajpayee termed it as an honour. A grand welcome Earlier, Macron, visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was warmly welcomed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, DGP Sadanand Date, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, other senior officials, and diplomats from both nations. Subsequently, Macron and Modi were closeted in delegation-level talks at the picturesque Arabian Sea-facing Lok Bhavan at Malabar Hill, when he said both France and India can give a lot to the world. “We have identified areas where we need to cooperate more to elevate our ties further,” said Macron, welcoming the recent India-European Union FTA.

Indecision Kills Personal Branding

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Indecision Kills

In a world that celebrates clarity and confidence, hesitancy is a silent yet powerful force that can diminish your personal brand. When people dwell in the realms of “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” they unknowingly project uncertainty and unreliability—traits that can undermine the foundation of a strong personal brand. Your ability to make decisions and stand firm on them is not just a reflection of your leadership but also a testament to your personal brand’s strength.


Every interaction we have leaves an impression. Be it a professional email, a networking event, or a casual conversation, these moments contribute to how others perceive us. When you continuously oscillate between indecision and vague responses, it sends a message that you lack confidence or direction. In business, where trust and reliability are paramount, this can become a significant roadblock.


Imagine a scenario where a client approaches two service providers with the same inquiry. The first one confidently outlines a plan, clearly stating the next steps, while the second hesitates, replying with, “I’m not sure; let me think about it.” Even if both have the same expertise, the client is more likely to gravitate toward the first provider. Confidence fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships—professional or personal.


Indecision can often stem from the fear of making mistakes or being judged. While this is natural, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. The act of making a decision, even if it turns out to be less than ideal, demonstrates courage, responsibility, and accountability. These are the traits that elevate a personal brand, distinguishing you in a crowded and competitive world.


Being decisive doesn’t mean being impulsive or reckless. It means gathering information, weighing options, and then committing to a choice with confidence. In personal branding, this is particularly crucial because every decision you make—how you respond to challenges, present yourself, or communicate with others—forms part of the narrative others associate with you.


Hesitation and indecision don’t only affect how others perceive you; they also impact how you view yourself. Constantly second-guessing yourself leads to self-doubt, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more uncertain you are, the more others will mirror that uncertainty, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


One way to counter this is by setting clear priorities and aligning your decisions with them. For instance, if your personal brand is centred around being a thought leader in your industry, your choices should reflect expertise and foresight. Even in moments of ambiguity, acknowledging the uncertainty while showing a proactive approach—such as saying, “I’ll find out and get back to you”—conveys both honesty and determination.


During my recent trip to Australia, I was reminded of how decisiveness shapes impressions. Whether interacting with global clients or navigating unfamiliar professional terrains, I realized that certainty in communication was key to building trust and rapport. This was particularly evident when representing my personal brand on international platforms. A clear, confident tone opened doors and strengthened relationships that would have otherwise remained distant.


The next time you find yourself leaning on phrases like “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” pause and ask yourself: Is this hesitation necessary? Sometimes, it’s about silencing the inner critic and choosing to act decisively. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the act of making a choice positions you as someone who is reliable, proactive, and worth trusting.


Your personal brand isn’t defined by the absence of mistakes but by how you handle them and move forward. Decisiveness isn’t just about making choices—it’s about owning them. And in a world that often feels uncertain, those who lead with clarity and conviction stand out.


Make your decisions a reflection of your confidence, and watch as your personal brand strengthens, opening doors you never imagined.

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(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+countries. Views personal.)

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