While the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister has not been unanimous, the former mayor of Vernon finds himself, as a bonus, confronted with another challenge: that of carrying a singular surname. A detail that is not one according to our expert psychologist – since this name can quickly become a heavy label to wear.
An atypical patronym
First reserve colonel in the national gendarmerie, then advisor to Bruno Le Maire and mayor of Vernon (Eure), Sébastien Lecornu very quickly climbed the levels by occupying several ministerial portfolios (Minister of Local Authorities (2018–2020), Minister of Overseas (2020–2022), and Minister of the Armed Forces (2022–2025).
Indeed, this only son of an aeronautical technician and a medical secretary has always been noticed – at 19, he even became the youngest parliamentary assistant in the National Assembly.
Today, it is the Holy Grail: Sébastien Lecornu was appointed Prime Minister after the resignation of François Bayrou on Tuesday evening. But this meteoric ascent was not facilitated by its surname, somewhat atypical.
The solution? Assume his name … not without humor
If a last name is not chosen, it can quickly become “a heavy label to wear“Confirms Amélie Boukhobza. “Especially when as in his case, he ready to smile, triggers easy word games or mockery.”
The name often constitutes the first gateway to the perception of a person.“The others sometimes hold it before even listening to the content, and in these cases, it is more easily anchored in their minds”, admits the expert.
But how can we be taken seriously when his name inevitably attracts remarks? The answer is undoubtedly due to the ability to play the gap.
“”Spend your time defending yourself or justifying yourself leaves the ground for laughter. On the other hand, assuming its name, or even ahead of mockery by quipping yourself, completely transforms the effect: what seemed a weakness becomes a singularity. I also apply this method with children victims of mockery or harassment “, says Amélie Boukhobza.
The idea is not to answer as the attacker is expecting it – by silencing, defending or replying – but to surprise.
“Exaggerate the line, get ahead, divert, act as a fencing: destabilize the opponent by leaving the planned framework. In the end, what prevails is no longer the name, but the function, the competence, the way of embodying what is said. A minister, a doctor, a teacher: a play of words can make you smile once, but if the person accomplishes his role, only competence remains memorable”, says the practitioner.
The main thing is to move the look, to recall by its attitude, its seriousness and its constancy that, behind the pun, “There is a person, an authority, a function “, concludes Amélie Boukhobza.