Did you know in Japan, broken pottery isn’t discarded; it’s repaired with gold? These cracks aren’t hidden; they’re embraced and highlighted with pride, thereby transforming into something valuable than before. This ancient art is known as Kintsugi. Ever wondered if leadership worked the same way? With time, organizations, too, go through their Kintsugi moments, which are times of change, reinvention, or uncertainty. We leaders often strive for perfection in work, within teams or ourselves. But true leadership isn’t about being flawless. When plans fail or people falter, how we respond is the game changer. Great leaders don't fear cracks instead they help teams to rebuild that are stronger, wiser, and more united than before. After all, broken pieces can shine again, sometimes, brighter than ever, just like gold! When leaders embrace vulnerability and empathy, they instil a culture where people aren’t afraid to fail, speak up, or try again. This sparks innovation! Every setback can add character. Every challenge can strengthen trust. Every repair can redefine excellence! It’s time we stop hiding the cracks and start leading with empathy, authenticity, and embed courage in our teams to emerge stronger through imperfection. #Leadership #Resilience #GrowthMindset #AuthenticLeadership
Very relevant perspective especially given the rampant change in the way the industry is changing. Many mid / senior leaders need guidance for adapting to new technology/ ways of working and empathy will go a long way in bringing out th best in them
Beautiful piece Jasjit Kang... using the beautiful art of Kintsugi to illustrate the powerful leadership philosophy. The flaws and setbacks aren't weaknesses to be hidden, but opportunities for growth and a source of unique strength. You lead from this very mindset. Thank you for sharing this valuable perspective and also for embodying the "Kintsugi leadership" that your writing inspires.
Beautifully said Jasjit Kang
Wonderfull perspective.
Thanks for sharing Jasjit sir, very practical though rarely practiced as not everyone carries the same mindset, to offer. Kintsugi moments reveal the beauty, brilliance and the strength of the foundation. Leaders who’ve weathered these shifts often emerge with sharper clarity, deeper empathy, and often forming a strong trust factor - not just with their teams but within themselves. And as a result, seeding that same contagious value(s) across the organization.
Jasjit Kang This is a brilliant use of the Kintsugi analogy.. 👏 True leadership is found in the response to failure. In Kintsugi, the gold doesn't just hold the pieces; it highlights a new structure. So in business, leaders must ensure the repair is a strategic upgrade, not just a cosmetic fix to get back to the status quo. The highest form of Kintsugi leadership is the courage to say: "The old design was flawed; the new design, built from the failure, must be superior." Do you think is the hardest part for leaders: embracing the vulnerability (the crack) or demanding the strategic re-engineering (the gold)? #ContraViews #Leadership #Transformation #Resilience #ChangeManagement
Love the story and articulation Jasjit !
Great perspective, Jasjit Kang. For me, it is a hiring plan that didn’t go well, a team that needed reassurance, or a strategy that had to be relooked. My learning is, it’s not perfection that builds trust, it’s how we show up when things crack.. how we gather gold around us to repair :) Thank you for this powerful and inspiring message..!
This is so relevant today, especially when you have a generational shift in the workforce with managers struggling to 'manage'
And you are a brilliant example of leading with empathy and authenticity, Jasjit! Thank you!