It's not reckless lending that's to blame for the financial crisis. It's the reckless male sex drive. That's according to French finance minister Christine Lagarde, who last week suggested that men in positions of power are at the mercy of their libido. "Women inject less libido, and less testosterone, into the equation," said the cool Lagarde.

Some men obviously agree: the 54-year- old was voted European finance minister of the year by the Financial Times for her prominent role in managing the international economic crisis. While qualifying her remarks by adding "It's probably over-generalised what I'm saying and I'm sure there are women who operate exactly like men", it's unlikely that the dignified former lawyer approves of such tactics. "Never imitate the boys," she said on another occasion earlier this year, "and never assume that you will be heard just because you shout louder."

Whether or not she considers president Nicolas Sarkozy to be among that libidinous bunch isn't clear. But for those who admire Lagarde's calm presence amid the ongoing financial panic, she is seen as standing head and shoulders above her boss – and not just because she is six feet tall. The no-nonsense Lagarde has urged France to give up its "old national habit" of thinking too much, and instead, to work harder. "I would like to tell you: enough thinking, already. Roll up your sleeves." Articulate and charming, she enumerates responses to questions on the economy in a helpful one, two, three manner, while her solutions invariably include her three 'r's' – reform, regulation, and restoring public finances. Fluent in Spanish along with her native French, she has been praised in the US for speaking English more clearly than 75% of American politicians. It was there, in 1999, that Lagarde began her succession of firsts, quickly promoted as the first woman to lead one of the world's largest law firms, the Chicago based Baker & McKenzie.

It was to the powerful Lagarde that Brian Lenihan famously first turned with the news of the blanket bank guarantee. Her reaction – Oh gosh! – was typically calm. Her 'chef de cabinet' is Irish woman Sonia Criseo. The Limerick-born Criseo (formerly McNamara) moved with her husband from the US to France after an invitation to join the government in 2004.

Although it meant a significant drop in earnings from her million dollar salary, Lagarde relished the opportunity to demonstrate her brokering skills in another male environment. One of her favourite quotes remains Eleanor Roosevelt's: "A woman is like a tea bag: You never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."

The woman many tip as the next president of France doesn't do stress. Teetotal, non-smoking, and vegetarian, Lagarde begins every morning with a yoga session. As a teenage synchronised swimming champion, a hotel with a swimming pool is a priority when attending summits.

But for now, Lagarde's focus is to reassure those 3.5 million strikers protesting at the raising of the retirement age. "I am not a threat," she has said. "I don't have a huge ego. I can help broker deals and reach consensus." And there we were, mistakenly thinking Carla Bruni is France's first lady.