But the news that Michael Rousseau is stepping down from Air Canada breaks fresh ground. Rousseau’s use of English sparked outrage across Canada and especially in Quebec, where Air Canada – the country’s largest airline – is based. Photograph: Seth Wenig/APRousseau’s case is unusual but it does underline how much weight we put on the way CEOs speak and sound. As it turned out, if the foreign bosses had a good reputation, they attracted notably more investment than local CEOs. I managed to have a career after this, even though research has shown for years that having a foreign accent can make you seem less competent, warm and hireable.

Source: The Irish Times April 06, 2026 05:01 UTC