What do you do with the pieces that broke off?

The Japanese art of Kintsugi is a fitting metaphor for the work we do as coaches - and the work we all must do to grow and mature as leaders.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer mixed with powdered gold. It highlights the cracks not as flaws to hide but as marks of beauty and wholeness to celebrate.

From an early age, we learn to push away the parts of ourselves that society, or well-meaning others, consider unhelpful. Don't be so loud. Boys don't cry. Girls shouldn't play rough. You need to fit in - or you better stand out. These internalized rules cause us to break off and orphan aspects of ourselves - separating us from some of our greatest gifts.

Much of my work coaching leaders involves rediscovering these disowned parts and integrating them back into their lives and leadership.

My starting assumption with every leader or organization is that everything they need is available (perhaps simply hidden). They are "naturally creative, resourceful and whole," to borrow from one of the cornerstones of Co-active Coaching. It takes time, effort, courage, and maybe a bit of gold, but we can return to wholeness.

I've included a link to a 2 min YouTube video exploring the metaphor of Kintsugi in the comments section below. It's worth a view.