New year, new chapters: why 2025 Is the year of the “Interim Renaissance”
The turning of the calendar to 2025 feels different—less like a continuation, more like a palimpsest in an evolving story. Organizations are facing challenges that could fill volumes, from technological upheavals to economic transitions. But instead of being overwhelmed by complexity, what if we borrowed a page from history and embraced an old concept in a new way? Enter the Interim Renaissance—a revival of agile, project-focused leadership in a time of transformation.
Lessons from Leonardo: the original "project-based thinker"
Think of the Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci. He wasn’t a careerist in the modern sense—he was a project-based professional avant la lettre. From designing fortifications for city-states to conceptualizing flying machines, Leonardo tackled problems as finite challenges, assembling his skills for specific missions and then moving on.
Today’s business landscape demands a similar approach. With challenges ranging from supply chain recalibration to AI integration, the age of the rigid organizational chart is over. Instead, we are witnessing the rise of the Project Economy, where the focus shifts to assembling the right expertise for specific goals, executed with speed and precision.
The "Why now" of interim management
In this era of flux, interim management is no longer just a stopgap—it’s the leadership model of the moment. Consider three driving forces that make interim professionals indispensable:
- The speed of change: organizations no longer have the luxury of long onboarding periods or extended strategic deliberations. Interim managers bring immediate impact, stepping into key roles with clarity and purpose.
- A fresh lens: much like a Renaissance thinker bringing new methods to old problems, interim professionals deliver objectivity and innovation, unencumbered by internal politics or legacy practices.
- Outcome obsession: projects have defined goals, timelines, and deliverables. Interim managers thrive in this environment, focusing solely on measurable results.
2025: turning complexity in to opportunity
Every period of transformation has its tipping point. The 2025 landscape—characterized by demographic shifts, technological leaps and an accelerating shift toward sustainability—represents just such a moment. Interim management offers a way to navigate these challenges with the agility and confidence of a Renaissance artist tackling their next masterpiece.
Rather than asking, “Why hire an interim manager?”, the real question is, “Why not?” The Project Economy requires leaders who can embrace ambiguity, lead diverse teams and deliver value in the short term while setting the foundation for long-term success.
A call to action
If the Renaissance taught us one thing, it’s that great advancements come from embracing change and thinking differently. As we step into 2025, let’s embrace the same spirit—not just adapting to a shifting world but actively shaping it.
So, as your organization writes its next chapter, ask yourself: Are you ready to seize the opportunity of the Interim Renaissance? If so, the time to act is now.
