Six Years of Bonus Time, the Magic of Casual Connections and the Art of Pivot
- Olivier S.E. Courtois
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
As many of us gear up for a summer slowdown, I’ve been reflecting on a past six months that have been incredibly rich—both intellectually and emotionally.
Time moves fast. This June marked 6 years since my open-heart surgery and near-death experience in 2020. I look at every year since as a gift, and the first half of this year has been no exception. It’s been a masterclass in adaptability.
A few highlights from a whirlwind semester:
The Global View: January set a dynamic pace, starting with a trip to Saudi Arabia (enduring a horrendous 35-hour transit to get there!) and followed closely by a wonderful gathering with alumni in the Swiss mountains. It marked the end of my heavy Europe-to-Middle-East commute for a while, shifting my focus to global online programs and intensive face-to-face work with C-suite leaders across Europe, the US, and Asia.
The Magic of the Road: Travelling this extensively reminded me of one of the greatest hidden perks of a global life: the numerous, wonderful casual encounters that naturally happen when you cross borders—spontaneous conversations that often spark the brightest insights.
The Power of Connection: Keynoting the AIJA biannual conference for nearly 500 attendees was a distinct highlight, alongside leading deep-dive sessions for highly senior leadership groups.
An Unexpected Pivot: Against all odds, life threw a curveball in February when my wife suffered a severe accident. Transitioning into a temporary caregiver, nurse, and "shopping expert" while rescheduling a demanding workload was a humbling reminder of what truly matters. (She is still on a long road to revalidation, but making strides!).
The Ultimate Stress-Test: Just recently, I wrapped up a fascinating but intense trip to Paris. Navigating work during severe power grid cuts—surviving on flashlights, no electricity, and a distinct lack of coffee—was certainly a test of patience!
Now, I’m guiding things toward a soft landing.
For July and August, I am moving to a half-time schedule to focus on retreat, reset, and preparation. I am currently collaborating with a few close peers on an exciting new project specifically designed for senior executives who need to hit their own "reset" button. I look forward to sharing more about it after the summer.
Wishing you all a restorative, fantastic summer. Take care, and let’s connect on the other side. ☀️
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