Re-ignite Your Leadership After The Summer Break

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Introduction: A Fresh Start

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As summer fades and work routines resume, it’s common for leaders to feel both rejuvenated and a bit out of sync. The break may have offered a much-needed pause, but returning to the office after time away can often reveal shifts in focus or momentum.?

It is not surprising that many coaching sessions in the last three weeks had a very similar flavour. On one side, my clients were still hooked on the recent adventures of their vacation, regretting that time was up and they had to resume work exactly when they felt more connected with their loved ones as well as with themselves. On the other side, I have noticed some feelings of dread lurking in the background at the idea of having to start pushing for the targets, to get again in contact and monitor team members they hardly had a chance to meet for working on another continent or to assert themselves in international management teams where each member was looking to make themselves seen, heard, listened, or recognised.

Now is the perfect time to press “reset” on your leadership strategies. Just as you’ve recharged personally, this moment provides a chance to reflect on your approach, refocus your goals, and re-establish a stronger connection with your team. By being intentional about how you lead moving forward, you can set yourself and your team up for a productive and high-performing quarter ahead.

In this newsletter, we’ll explore actionable steps you can take to reignite your motivation to lead and your leadership, realign with your team, and set new priorities that will drive success as we move into the next phase of the year.

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1. Reflect on What Worked and What Didn’t

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Before looking at new or updated goals and strategies, it’s essential to take a step back and reflect on the quality of your work before vacation.

Summer breaks often provide clarity, allowing leaders to look at their latest performance with a fresh perspective. Taking the time to evaluate what went well and where there were challenges can serve as a solid foundation for future improvements.

What did I do well as a leader? How did my team perform? Where did I face the biggest challenges? Is there anything that I can do differently for better results?

While entering this reflection process make sure you do not dwell on those challenges or succumb to criticism of yourself or others. That will just keep you stuck, unable to move forward.

Look for the unhealthy, unproductive, unbalanced and unfulfilling patterns that you favoured in your leadership and see in which way you created the conditions for them to occur or how you maintained them.

This is a new type of learning, different from pure technical knowledge,? all leaders need to ensure better decision-making moving forward. It’s an opportunity to learn from both successes and setbacks, which can help you fine-tune your leadership approach.

One powerful way to use this reflection is by applying it to small but impactful changes. If you identified a communication gap in your team or between you and your people, for example, now is the time to adjust your methods - perhaps by increasing the frequency or type of team check-ins or setting transparent expectations. Similarly, if you noticed that certain initiatives were highly successful, consider how you can replicate those processes across other areas of your leadership.

By consciously reflecting on what worked and what didn’t, you can enter the next phase of leadership with greater awareness and a clearer sense of direction. This reflection is your first step in re-igniting your leadership strategy after the break, ensuring that you build on your strengths and address any shortcomings with a fresh, purposeful approach. It is also valuable for reigniting your motivation for work, your commitment and your confidence.

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2. Refocus Your Leadership Goals

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As you return to work after the summer break, it’s the perfect time to reassess your leadership goals with fresh eyes. The priorities you set at the start of the year may no longer fit the current business landscape, team dynamics, or even your personal growth as a leader. To reignite your leadership, it’s essential to realign your goals to ensure they reflect both your personal development and the evolving needs of your team and organization.

Revisit and Recalibrate Goals

Begin by reviewing the goals you set, or were assigned earlier this year. Are they still relevant? Have changes in the market, your team, or the way work is done affected their viability? Sometimes, a shift in focus is necessary due to evolving company priorities, market conditions, or personal leadership experiences.

After reflecting, take the opportunity to recalibrate your goals to ensure they remain not only relevant but also achievable given your current resources and timeframe. It’s okay to adjust or even let go of goals that no longer align with the broader mission or your personal development. Adapting to these shifts is a natural and necessary part of leadership.

It’s common for first-line or middle managers to feel uneasy about raising concerns with higher management regarding goals that aren’t working. Some may believe they lack the authority ... CONTINUE THE READ

Summary:

Feeling refreshed after the summer break but struggling to get back into the leadership groove? This newsletter offers actionable steps to help you realign your leadership strategies, refocus on team dynamics, and reignite your passion for work. Whether you’re tackling new challenges or recalibrating old goals, now is the perfect time to reset and lead with renewed clarity and energy.

Learn how to reflect on what worked, adjust your leadership goals to align with team aspirations, and keep the momentum going with practical tips that will set you and your team up for success. Curious how to make the most of this fresh start? Dive in and explore strategies designed to recharge your leadership and drive performance.

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