Every summer for years, my family and I have cycled around Lake Balaton – Central Europe’s largest lake, a full 200 kilometers. It’s a tradition I look forward to, both for the joy it brings and the challenge it poses. We set our daily stages together, share the tough moments, and end each day tired but filled with happiness and laughter.
This year, though, things turned out differently. One day, with a storm approaching, we had to take the train for a longer stretch. It wasn’t part of the plan. At first, I felt disappointed – as if I hadn’t truly met the goal. But as we watched the heavy rain pour down from the train window, I realized: we hadn’t abandoned the goal. We responsibly adapted our route to fit the circumstances. We still completed the goal – just differently. Together. And along the way, we gained new experiences.
That moment reminded me how often similar situations arise in organizational life. We frequently move forward according to the original plan, even as the environment around us – market shifts, internal changes, emerging opportunities, or new risks etc. – is constantly evolving. What was the most direct and effective path yesterday may no longer be the right one today.
Why is it important to pause from time to time?
Because it gives us the space to look at our situation from a fresh perspective and to recognize when a different route could get us to our goal more effectively and sustainably. This isn’t weakness – it’s adaptivity. Not a step back, but a strategic adjustment.
What is worth considering at this time?
Where are we now? What has changed since we set out? What options do we have, and how can we move forward in a way that truly supports our shared goal – not just in form, but in substance?
A conscious pause isn’t the opposite of progress – it’s part of it. If we regularly take time for collective reflection, our teams become not only more effective, but also more adaptable, collaborative, and sustainable in the long run.
When was the last time your team made space for this kind of “pause”? And if you could do it now – what would you want to look at together?
Noémi Győrvári
I’ve been working in HR field at companies for 27 years, 24 out of these as HR manager. I gained experience in companies of all types and sizes, from large American multinationals to large Hungarian companies, from FMCG to agriculture and the IT Telco sector.
Organization Development Consultant, Leadership Expert, Facilitator and Business Simulations Trainer. Partner and Consultant at Flow Group in Central Asia. Professionally helps people and organizations to reinvent and transform through changes to build lasting impact.
Co-Founder of FLOW Group International, I combine a passion for future trends and innovative approaches to life improvement, with expertise in People, Organizations and Culture Development.
Ian’s talent is translating complexity into simplicity. This applies especially well in his chosen areas of M&A, Leadership, Executive Coaching, Executive Team Alignment, Change Management & Strategy which he performs all over the world.
I am a qualified economist and have an MBA degree. After 7 years in HR consulting I spent 4 years in senior management positions working for ICT companies. I returned to consulting in the spring of 2005 as an associate managing director of Creanova; I work as a partner and senior consultant/trainer of the Flow Group.
Starting out at the University of Economics and most of all with the priceless experience AIESEC provided to me in as a student, I can now look back on a multifarious, colorful and successful career of 20 years.
Economist by education, Organization Development consultant by profession, one of the founding partners of Flow. I had my share of middle and top-level management exercise in multinational environment at the early years of my professional career. During the 35 years gained experience in the airline and courier industries, built a few successful consulting organizations, steered a school and a technology start-up. Experienced in leadership on the practical and the development sides as well. Recently I’ve enjoyed working in agile leadership and Organizational Network Analysis.
I am an organization development consultant, a senior trainer, a founding member and the managing partner of the Flow Group. I have been into organization development for 15 years and have 20 years of experience with running training courses.
Andrea Frenyo
