Why Kintsugi Consulting?
It was during a conversation with a friend about this technique, this ancient Japanese art, that I felt the desire to delve deeper into the subject. As I continued my reading, I began to see more and more connections between these three:
Kintsugi / Training / Coaching
Could there be connections...?
Kintsugi is an art that originated in Japan between the 14th and 15th centuries.
A method for repairing broken ceramic objects, this technique involves filling the cracks with gold, highlighting the flaws rather than hiding them, thereby creating a new form of beauty and value.
As a method of continuous learning, Kintsugi brings creativity to the search for solutions. In relation to coaching and training, it helps individuals face professional and personal challenges and prepare the path to success.
This practice is often associated with a metaphor for resilience and the ability to transform adversity into opportunities for growth and confidence building.
We can draw interesting parallels between training, coaching, and the Kintsugi method, particularly in terms of personal growth, transformation, and acceptance.
We have identified the following connections, though this list is not exhaustive :
Personal Development and Transformation
Just as Kintsugi transforms broken pieces into a new work of art, training and coaching aim to help us develop, evolve, and transform. In a personal process (career change, return to employment, periods of transition…) or a collective one (reorganization, restructuring, merger, acquisition…), the Kintsugi approach symbolizes the journey toward a new version of oneself through learning, support, and action.
Embracing Our Imperfections
Kintsugi celebrates scars and imperfections rather than hiding them. Similarly, training and coaching often encourage the acceptance of who we are as opportunities for growth. This approach can help strengthen self-esteem and focus on our strengths and talents.
Repair and Growth
Kintsugi expresses the beauty that can emerge from reconstruction after personal or professional challenges. Likewise, training and coaching can help us rebuild our lives after such challenges. By anchoring our achievements and skills, we can use them to grow from our experiences.
Creativity and Reinvention
Kintsugi often involves a creative approach to reconfiguring broken pieces into a new form. Similarly, training and coaching can encourage our creativity and personal “reinvention,” inviting us to explore new perspectives and find innovative and original solutions to our challenges.
Relationship Between Trainer/Coach and Coachee
Just as the Kintsugi Master uses their expertise to repair a broken object, trainers and coaches bring their expertise to support their clients. The trusting relationship between the Master and the learner in Kintsugi can be compared to the supportive relationship between a trainer or coach and their client.
The connections between training, coaching, and Kintsugi lie mainly in the concepts of development, transformation, acceptance, and creativity. These areas come together to promote personal or professional growth and fulfillment
