This Japanese art that gracefully pulls us out of the crisis!

I met a client last week whom I hadn't seen in a while... Was it last summer? The one before? Have you ever felt like you've spent the past few months without really experiencing them?

Since the beginning of this crisis, for most of us, the scars of the pandemic have manifested in our daily lives and work. Its consequences are felt in various ways: from disappointments and regrets to doubts and even sadness for what has been lost. Not to mention the fatigue that goes beyond physical exhaustion. We all want to return to a "normal" life, but perhaps we fear going back to certain patterns and work methods. Is going backwards possible or desirable?

Broken things don't need to remain broken.

Has this period simply amplified the dissatisfaction, anxiety, and insecurities that already existed? Never before have so many people changed careers or embarked on new projects... There is talk of the "Great Resignation" in the US: [link to article].

Broken things don't need to remain broken. The fracture can be the starting point of beauty. Have you heard of the art of Kintsugi (or Kintsukuroi)? It is an ancient Japanese technique that aims to give a second life to broken porcelain or ceramic objects by highlighting their cracks and filling them with gold powder. The object becomes more valuable than before, not just because of the gold, but mainly due to the care taken in its restoration.

What does this period teach us professionally?

So, what have you learned during this period? Have you discovered new work methods, a new job, or other changes that have improved your way of living and working? Personally, I have become more cautious. I have set aside my ego and focus on the essentials. I no longer want large teams and offices throughout Switzerland, but rather a high-performing team and an even more agile way of working. I also listen to myself more, knowing my limits and when to say stop...

And from a personal point of view?

Certain things in our lives have been fractured or chipped, like our trust or motivation. In a world of overconsumption and disposable items, it is easy to value what is new. It is easy to overlook the value of repaired things. But the art of Kintsugi reminds us that the mended and timeless can be more beautiful than the new. People are not objects. When we change, we learn. When we struggle, we grow. When we repair our lives, we gain new strength and wisdom, and we emerge stronger than before.

By shedding these unnecessary layers, we move towards more qualitative and authentic social connections. The gold used to mend our cracks is none other than kindness and benevolence, towards others but above all towards ourselves.

Let us therefore have the audacity to draw this parallel with Kintsugi and transform our fractures into beauty.

Nathalie Brodard"