Garden leave sounds like gifted time. For many senior leaders in Germany it is — provided the non-compete language, remaining loyalty duties, and optics with future employers are understood before outreach begins.
Use the quiet weeks for positioning
The first fortnight is rarely for emails to former peers. It is for rebuilding the Lebenslauf, clarifying industry boundaries, and deciding which search firms already know your name. Systemsdevsuite often starts mandates here: materials first, market contact second.
Avoid the “available immediately” tone
Hiring boards read urgency as risk. Even when your calendar is empty, frame timing around notice realities and a realistic start window. If your garden leave ends in eight weeks, say so calmly; do not invent a crisis.
Watch the contractual edges
Some agreements limit who you may contact while still paid by the former employer. That is a legal question for your counsel. Our role is to design a search plan that respects those edges while still progressing conversations that are allowed.
If you are entering garden leave now, request a conversation before the first outreach wave.