The COVID crisis has triggered another paradox our modern world is keen on. We are locked down, our freedom and means of action are restricted, in theory as everything around us accelerates: space dimensions and time seem to distort and concentrate, blurring the border between private and professional lives.  Maybe this is pure perception, but  I have the feeling that for many (including myself) hyperactivity, combined with hyperstress is a consequence not to say an answer to the situation:  never ending connected days for homeworkers, presence on social networks, webinars to get connected with anyone from the moment there is somebody on, purchasing (Black Friday is coming soon), even the political and the sport shows (circus?) actively go on.
Why? Are we so short-term and action-oriented? Is our System so fragile?  Do we feel so isolated or threatened in our identity?
The Western education does not teach us to pause, at least after kindergarten, and I believe it should be a wonderful antidote to the abovesaid paradox. I am not talking exactly about having a full break, but to step back deeply enough and contemplate what is at play for us and what is emerging from the present situation, before moving into action; reflecting on what we keep, release and need to acquire in ourselves before moving forward. A pause before action, a “contemplaction”, with or without goals.
Looking in the rear-view mirror, I realized some time ago that I have probably not allocated enough time for this when it would have made sense, at critical moments of my life or my career, being under constant pressure to take decisions and move forward fast, eager to get results; a pressure that I might have entertained myself.
I may have lost sight on essential things, some precious time as well, and taken hazardous directions.
There are multiple ways to pause, meditation and arts, spirituality can guide us for instance, and we can do it alone or with someone’s help.
This is why I have decided that it will be an important component of my coaching offer: To propose a space and a frame for “contemplaction”, in relation with people's occupation or business concerns; particularly for people reaching a pivotal moment in their career or business development, or facing unknown environments or conditions.
The aftermath of the COVID crisis will be tough. More than ever I believe this is the right time for pause and "contemplaction".
What about you, are you ready for it?

Jean-Philippe Gauvrit

I delivered a presentation earlier this week about Coaching in Disruption, at the AICPA-CIMA* Virtual Annual Conference “FP&A and Finance Transformation”. I shared several ideas, like adopting a Manager – Coach behaviour, as a possible way to better address the current challenges.
Being a Manager & Coach may sound paradoxical.  But in an environment driven by complexity and permanent transformation, the Heroic Leader is dead. Nowadays no one can pretend to know everything, everywhere, anytime and to seriously lead the show. Shot dead, by uprising generations calling for strong values at work, for diversity and empowering management styles.
Resource and solutions will come from people and from the situation we are in, with our guidance and framing; The Manager – Coach creates and promotes the right conditions to foster ideas and initiatives, empower people and enable their growth.
More than a “know-how”, deploying Coaching or Management techniques, more than a set of skills, this is a “Savoir Etre”.

​If you want to know more about it, if you are interested to explore this idea for your organization or for your team, please contact me at : [email protected]

AICPA- CIMA is one of the largest and most influential Association of Professional Accountants and Finance Managers in the world