Reignite Your Leadership After the Summer Break

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Introduction: A Fresh Start

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.

1. Reflect on What Worked and What Didn’t

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 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.

2. Refocus Your Leadership Goals

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 to question or reshape these goals, assuming that goal-setting is a privilege reserved for upper management. Others may feel the pressure to achieve unrealistic goals on their own, without seeking collaboration across teams. In some cases, managers may not even be aware of the underlying assumptions driving their objectives.

This disconnect can be demotivating, making the return to work feel like a daunting task. But remember—you are a leader. Regardless of how small or significant you perceive your leadership role to be, you are in charge of your goals. It’s up to you to open discussions with both your team and higher management to reassess or reconfirm the goals that drive your work. Taking ownership of this process is key to reigniting your passion and creativity, and positioning yourself for success.

Align Goals with Your Team

Your leadership goals must reflect the current business environment, which means they need to be agreed upon with upper management and, at times, with peer managers. Equally important, these goals should align with the needs and aspirations of your team.

After recalibrating your objectives, take the time to ensure they support your team’s growth and performance. Your team consists of individuals with unique talents, ambitions, and strengths. How do your goals empower them to succeed? Consider bringing your team into this conversation by sharing your leadership vision, or by translating the broader organizational goals into something meaningful for them. Engaging your team in goal-setting helps create a shared sense of purpose.

When your personal goals as a leader are aligned with your team’s objectives, you create a cohesive, collaborative path forward that amplifies both individual and collective success.

By refocusing your leadership goals, you lay the foundation for a successful quarter—one where your actions align with both your personal growth and the overall business mission.

3. Realign with Your Team

After a break, it’s natural for teams to feel a bit out of sync. Energy levels may vary, and team members might have shifted focus during their time away. Moreover, you’ll likely face an overflowing inbox and new tasks waiting for from your manager. While it may seem like your team should already know what needs to be done, and your attention might be pulled toward your own priorities or updates from your manager and peers, it's crucial to take the time to reconnect with your team and realign everyone’s focus and energy.

Reconnecting with Team Members

Re-establishing relationships is key to reigniting the sense of connection and collaboration within your team. While the break was a valuable time for rest and recharge, it can also cause a temporary disruption in communication and workflow. Take the time to check in with each team member, gauge how they’re feeling about the upcoming workload, and ensure they feel supported. This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, demonstrate empathy, and show your team that their well-being is a top priority. 

Host a Reconnection Session

One of the most effective ways to realign your team is by hosting a "reconnection session." This could take the form of a team meeting where you share updated goals, recalibrate expectations, and provide a space for team members to voice their thoughts and questions. Alternatively, you could hold one-on-one check-ins to have more personalized conversations with each team member about their individual goals, any challenges they foresee, and how they can contribute to the team’s success.

During these sessions, encourage honest dialogue and actively listen to any concerns or feedback. This shows your team that their input is valued and helps identify potential obstacles early on. It’s also a great opportunity to reinforce the team’s purpose and emphasize how each individual’s role contributes to achieving collective goals.

Revitalize Team Dynamics

Returning to work is the perfect time to revitalize your team’s dynamics. After the break, there might be a dip in morale or motivation, so consider ways to boost engagement and collaboration. Organizing small team-building activities can help rebuild camaraderie and refocus energy on working together toward shared objectives. These don’t need to be elaborate—simple activities like problem-solving, brainstorming or planning sessions, or even casual catch-ups can make a significant difference in re-energizing the team.

Now is also a good time to reassess team roles and responsibilities. Are there areas where team members can take on new challenges or shift roles to better leverage their strengths? By resetting roles where needed, you ensure that everyone is operating at their highest potential and contributing effectively to the team’s goals.

Realigning with your team is more than just a check-in—it’s about reconnecting on a deeper level, nurturing collaboration, and making sure everyone is recharged and ready to succeed together. When the team is united and clear on their direction, you create a strong foundation for a productive and fulfilling quarter ahead.

4. Prioritize for the Last Yearly Quarter

As you realign your leadership and team, it’s important to prioritize the key initiatives that will drive success in the last yearly quarter. Focus on high-impact projects that align with both your recalibrated goals and the organization’s broader objectives.

Start by identifying the tasks that will make the most difference and allocate resources accordingly. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a long to-do list, so narrow your focus to a few core priorities that will create meaningful progress. 

Make sure you previously agreed with your manager on your selected priorities and he or she also accepted them in their agenda as being urgent, important or both. This simple acceptance received from your manager will keep you motivated until delivery, and you will avoid working on something that might later be considered not important or irrelevant. Similarly, your team needs to be clear on these priorities and understand their role in achieving them.

Regularly revisit and adjust your priorities as needed. Flexibility will be key in navigating any challenges or changes that arise during the quarter, ensuring you and your team stay on track toward success.

By doing so you make sure the effort you and your team put in will be valued and will avoid future dilemmas or overthinking about whether your manager sees the relevance of your work.

5. Maintaining Energy and Momentum

After setting new goals, realigning with your team, and prioritizing your initiatives, the next challenge is maintaining the energy and momentum you’ve built. The excitement of a fresh start can fade quickly if not nurtured, so it’s essential to have strategies in place to keep the team motivated and on track as the quarter progresses.

One of the most effective ways to maintain momentum is by celebrating small wins along the way. As you work toward larger goals, recognize the milestones your team hits. Public acknowledgement of individual and team efforts fosters a sense of achievement and keeps morale high. Whether it’s through a quick shoutout in a meeting or a more formal recognition, these moments of positive reinforcement can have a lasting impact on motivation.

Another key to sustaining energy is ensuring that team members feel connected to the broader vision. Regularly remind your team of how their work fits into the bigger picture. People are more motivated when they understand the "why" behind their efforts. As a leader, it’s your role to communicate this vision clearly and frequently, keeping everyone focused on the overarching mission.

Momentum thrives when there’s accountability. Regular check-ins—both with individuals and as a team—can help ensure that progress stays on track. These meetings don’t need to be long or formal, but they should provide a space for updating progress, discussing roadblocks, and offering support where needed.

During these check-ins, encourage transparency about challenges. Teams often lose momentum when problems go unaddressed or when individuals feel isolated in their struggles. By creating a culture where challenges can be openly discussed, you enable faster problem-solving and reinforce a collaborative, solution-focused mindset.

Finally, remember that the road to success is rarely linear. Unforeseen challenges or changes are inevitable, and it’s important to remain flexible and adaptable. Encourage your team and also remind yourself to view these obstacles as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. Show a growth mindset to your team, and you will notice a forward-moving dynamic, even when the path ahead isn’t entirely smooth.

As a leader, your ability to keep the team’s energy and momentum high will directly influence the success of the quarter. By celebrating progress, maintaining accountability, and embracing adaptability, you’ll create an environment where your team remains focused, engaged, and motivated to deliver their best work throughout the quarter.

Conclusion: Set the Stage for Success

As you resume work after vacation, the key to reigniting your leadership lies in intentional reflection, goal realignment, team collaboration, and sustained momentum. By taking a thoughtful approach to your leadership reset, you’re not only positioning yourself for success but also empowering your team to perform at their best. Leadership is not just about driving results—it’s also about fostering growth, engagement, and fulfilment for yourself and those you lead.

To keep yourself focused on the path ahead, take a moment to reflect on your leadership journey so far and how you plan to move forward with clarity and purpose. 

Here are five self-reflection questions to help guide your growth:

• What leadership practices have served me well, and how can I build on them in the upcoming quarter?

• What challenges have I encountered in leading my team, and how can I address these moving forward?

• How well are my current goals aligned with both my personal growth and the team’s success?

• What steps can I take to foster stronger collaboration and communication within my team?

• How can I maintain my energy and enthusiasm for leadership, even when facing setbacks or challenges?

By regularly reflecting on these questions, you’ll stay connected to your growth as a leader and remain adaptable as you navigate the complexities of your management job after returning from vacation.

I am here in case you need a reflection partner. Let’s talk!  As my coaching clients tell me, they see what propels them forward or holds them back only when they talk about what they know. And yes, the majority of them had the habit of reflection, but as it happens we cannot find solutions from within the problem we try to solve. And, when we have the guidance of the coach, we are helped to become the observers, our own observers, and inspired and encouraged to take action towards a successful and fulfilling result.

Here it is the perfect opportunity to reignite your leadership with renewed energy and motivation for the year ahead!

Until next time, keep thriving!

Alina Florea

Your Management Performance Coach 

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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.