For many organisations, summer brings a quieter rhythm. Some of the team is on holiday, others work at a more relaxed pace, and calendars look momentarily empty. This gives the People function and line managers the perfect opportunity to focus on the projects there is normally no time for. At the same time, managers get to know their team members in a different way, as some are away and the dynamic shifts. Even most of the brush fires have been put out, because no one is driving around with a petrol can throwing more fuel on the flames.
So summer isn’t all ice cream and parasols – it’s also the season for strategic building. When the day-to-day quietens down, it’s time to dig out the development ideas that got left in the drawer during the rush of spring.
Summer projects worth seeing through
A quieter working rhythm makes room for the practical development work that benefits the whole organisation come autumn.
Refining People processes, developing systems and tools, prioritising projects, manager enablement and planning, your own professional development and signing up for training – and, of course, the most important of all: preparing for next year’s budget discussions. Summer is the perfect time to think through what next year holds and where the resources need to go.
These aren’t just filler for a to-do list – they’re investments that pay for themselves once the autumn pace picks up. From my own experience in the People function, I know that when you can move summer projects forward calmly, you create lasting improvements without constant interruptions. And best of all – it’s done without any sense of rush.
Filling the calendar – the far-sighted way
The quiet of summer is also a chance to plan ahead. Filling the calendar before the holidays isn’t micromanagement – it’s like packing the autumn provisions into your rucksack in advance. No one wants to set off on a hike with nothing but a banana.
From my own experience leading the People function, I know that this kind of preparation makes the autumn day-to-day considerably smoother – and makes it possible to focus on the right things straight after the holidays, without anyone having to second-guess what to do next.
Summer = a chance to focus
Summer offers that small, rare window when the People team can focus on what matters without constant interruptions. Whether it’s refining processes, developing systems or updating your own skills – a quiet summer makes a real difference once autumn fills up with new projects and demands.
So a quiet summer isn’t about waiting. It’s an opportunity worth using wisely: building the autumn playbook, refining processes and making sure the whole team is ready when business resumes at full tilt.
Make summer count – together
How does your People team use the summer? If you’d like a sounding board for planning your summer projects, I’d be glad to help – do get in touch!