If the year feels like it’s gone quickly – or become heavier than expected – this midpoint might be a good place to pause and ask what you need to lead well through what’s coming next.
One of our Consultants casually dropped in a conversation last week that we’re now “officially closer to 2050 than to the year 2000.”
There’s something about midpoints. We have the knowledge of what’s behind us – the champion moments and the challenges – and there is still time to look ahead and make change.
As we hit the midpoint to 2025, it’s a chance to stop, reflect, and ask how things are really going before the second half picks up pace.
So how have things been for you?
Back in January, the energy at JPMorgan – and for many leaders – was quietly confident. There was talk of focused growth, smarter portfolios, AI partnerships and opportunities, and moving forward.
Now, halfway through the year, many leaders are facing a more complicated picture.
Restructuring hasn’t slowed down. Supply chains are under pressure again, and tariff concerns are still leaving businesses unsettled. Some launches have been delayed and while others are progressing, it comes at a higher internal cost and with a lot less clarity.
Meanwhile, targets haven’t eased, and the conditions around them have shifted, making it harder to believe they can be achieved.
In conversations across the sector, we’re hearing the same themes:
Gallup’s 2025 data-driven report shows a decline in mid-level leader engagement across the board. In biopharma, it’s showing up in rising leader fatigue.
Mid-year reviews often focus on numbers, but they can be a useful moment to check the temperature too:
These questions don’t take long to ask, but they can create space to make better decisions in the second half of the year.
At Open Water, we’ve been working with leadership teams navigating this same tension: how to keep moving forward without burning out.
That’s why this summer we’ve been running a free 1:1 Leadership Surgery for life sciences ecosystem leaders with experienced leadership experts and coaches.
Up until 30th August, you can request a confidential appointment here.
We have a special summer offer. For the first time ever, we're opening up two 90-minute online workshops to individual leaders.
If you're navigating pressure or change and want space to think, reflect and reset – these are for you.
You can join one workshop – or book both with a 20% discount. We know budgets are tight and have taken that into consideration.
🗓 24 July – Leading from the Inside Out
Building self-awareness for real impact
🗓 30 July – Your Mindset is Showing
How to think like a high-impact leader
Spaces are limited – CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & BOOKING
Whatever this year has brought so far, the second half is still yours to shape.
Sometimes a small reset is all it takes to move forward with more clarity, confidence, and energy.
Specialists in the human side of change, we partner with leading life science organisations to deliver deep change and cultural transformation.