In 2005, Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi was purchased at a Louisianna estate auction for $10,000.
After an extensive restoration, it sold for $450 million in 2017.
The painting’s story is a useful reflection for senior professionals heading into the summer holiday season: restoration creates value.
The dictionary definition of restoration is simple: returning something to a healthy, functional state. For the senior professionals, that means more than being physically absent from work. It means creating the conditions for genuine mental renewal.
Many executives treat themselves differently from the assets, businesses, and teams they steward. The most effective executives I work with rarely disappear without preparation. They delegate authority, empower trusted deputies, establish clear protocols for genuine emergencies, and then step back. However, complete disconnection does not happen, and it often defeats the purpose of a vacation.
Timewise, the contrast between regions where one is based, is striking. Across much of Europe, taking three consecutive weeks off is common (with a 4-6 week annual leave). In the United States, however, many professionals view a one uninterrupted week as a luxury.
That is where the quality of the little time one has for restoration is particularly important.
What matters is not just the destination but the outcome.
A restorative vacation is one that lowers stress, restores energy, improves sleep, creates mental space, and allows you to regain perspective. Whether that means a mountain cabin, a beach, a city break, time with family, or simply doing less is largely irrelevant.
More often than not, vacations that become carefully curated, packed itineraries will require recovery from the “recovery”.
The goal is often not to collect experiences, but to return renewed.
Research consistently shows that quality recovery periods reduce the risk of burnout, improve mood, strengthen cognitive performance, and increase productivity upon return.
The opposite is also true: chronic overwork narrows perspective, erodes creativity, and gradually diminishes our capacity for engagement and enjoyment. There is even a term for that, “anhedonia”.
It is true for executives, senior level professionals and it is also true for parents, when the grind (no matter how passionate you are about it) is 24-hour.
As you prepare for your summer break, consider:
Not “Where am I going?”
But “What makes me feel restored? Am I giving myself the space and time to get restored? “
After all, even masterpieces require restoration from time to time.
Have a great summer!
#ExecutiveCoaching,#Burnout,#LeadershipCoching,#LeadershipDevelopment