30.07.2025
by Stephan Breitfeld
In my job, I accompany people at turning points – often just before or in the middle of a significant career change. And I notice: The really ground-breaking decisions are rarely made under time pressure. They are made in between – in moments of calm, reflection and conscious distance from everyday life. The summer months in particular are often such a space.
The blank page: why new perspectives are emerging right now
So Summer invites you to ask yourself questions for which there is otherwise no space: What do I actually still want to achieve? Where do I stand – professionally, personally, emotionally? What do I need to start the next phase with energy?
For many, this moment is like a blank page. The professional biography does not have to be rewritten – but it can be reaccentuated. One candidate recently summed it up like this: „I was sitting on the beach and suddenly thought: when I come back, I don’t want to just carry on as before. I need more effectiveness, more purpose – and fewer political games.“
Ideas for career changes are often developed while on vacation and away from the daily grind. And in late summer and fall, we observe a significant increase in the willingness to change jobs. Candidates who were still cautious in the spring come back with new clarity.
What particularly moves them is:
– Value orientation: Do I still fit in with this organization – or has something changed?
– Balance: Is the relationship between effort and impact still right?
– Effectiveness: Where can I really contribute my strengths?
These questions not only concern C-level managers, but also specialists and project managers who want to readjust their course.
What companies can do now
Summer is also an opportunity for companies – provided they are prepared. Now is the time to recruit proactively rather than waiting for applications to roll in. Interviews should go beyond assessing performance and allow space for personality, mindset, and potential. It’s also important to name change clearly – not gloss over it.
Especially during this phase, we as executive researchers and consultants often serve as the link: between those reorienting themselves and those actively seeking reinforcement. Our role is to listen, recognize potential, and create the right connections – discreetly, proactively, and professionally.
A brief impulse from our side before we head into the summer break. We wish you a refreshing time away from the everyday routine.
