The idea of a year-long sabbatical, once a whimsical aspiration, is gaining traction among top-tier executives.

From venture capitalists to CEOs and even pop stars, leaders are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of stepping away from the relentless grind.

This isn’t simply about rest and relaxation; it’s about strategic reflection, strengthening connections, and ultimately, returning to work with renewed purpose and vigor.

Trading billion-dollar deals for family dinners

Venture capitalist Jeremy Liew, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners with a track record including a seed investment in Snap Inc., had long envisioned a year-long world trip.

Despite achieving remarkable professional success, including Snap’s $24 billion IPO in 2017, Liew found himself perpetually immersed in work.

It took the disruption of Covid, and the sudden absence of constant travel, for him to realize the value of what he was missing at home: “Having dinner with my family. Unstructured time with my kids. Having the time to train.”

This realization prompted Liew to reduce his commitment at Lightspeed to 20% and embark on a year-long family adventure in 2022, just as his eldest child was starting high school.

From Tanzania to Taiwan: a journey of discovery

The Liew family’s itinerary spanned 12 destinations, each for a month, beginning with Tanzania and Kenya, then on to Australia, Singapore, and Italy.

However, halfway through, teenage yearnings for peer interaction led to a six-month stay in Taiwan.

While the initial plan was modified, the experience remained invaluable.

The rise of the executive sabbatical

Liew’s journey exemplifies a growing trend.

Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic, took a three-month sabbatical in 2023 to focus on personal pursuits like chess and sailing.

Even pop star Lizzo announced a “gap year” for personal peace, although she later clarified it was more of a work-intensive period away from the public eye.

Ania Smith, CEO of TaskRabbit, took a year-long break in Buenos Aires with her family before assuming her current role.

“My gap year played a pivotal role in my career,” Smith shared with Fortune.

“It gave me the space to reflect on what I truly wanted and develop a clear plan to achieve it, eventually leading me to my current role.”

These examples highlight the diverse motivations and benefits of taking an extended break from work.

Sabbaticals: no longer a luxury, but a strategic tool

Sabbaticals, long a standard practice in academia, are becoming increasingly common in the business world, especially after the pandemic disrupted traditional work patterns.

LinkedIn’s post-pandemic addition of “Career Break” as a profile option reflects this shift.

In 2021, nearly 30% of businesses surveyed by an HR organization offered unpaid sabbaticals, a significant increase from 18% in 2016.

Major companies, including Bank of America, Thomson Reuters, and Goldman Sachs, have joined the ranks of those offering regular employee leave, alongside established programs at McDonald’s, Adobe, Deloitte, and Zillow.

Even travel agencies are now specializing in “sabbatical travel” planning.

Reframing the narrative around career breaks

While skepticism sometimes surrounds executive sabbaticals, especially when they follow controversies or poor business performance, the perception of career breaks is evolving.

Rather than being viewed as a sign of weakness, taking time off is increasingly recognized as a strategic move for personal and professional growth.

“People are using sabbaticals to create transformation in their lives and pivot careers,” Cady North, author of The Art of the Sabbatical and founder of North Financial Advisors, told Fortune.

This shift reflects a growing understanding that career paths are not always linear and that taking time for reflection can lead to greater clarity and purpose.

A VC’s transformative journey

Arjan Schütte, founder and managing partner of Core Innovation Capital, had long dreamed of sailing around the world with his family.

The pandemic, ironically, provided the catalyst.

Realizing he could manage his investments remotely, Schütte embarked on a year-long voyage across 20 countries, homeschooling his children along the way.

The experience was profound, particularly the increased time spent with his kids. “It’s funny that you need to go to an exotic locale to figure out something so quotidian,” Schütte remarked.

The sabbatical also allowed Schütte, at 52, to reflect on his career trajectory and reaffirm his commitment to venture capital.

“I feel like I have a fresh mandate,” he shared. “From parenting to my relationship with my wife…I’m much more dialed into these relationships.”

Overcoming the fear of stepping away

Taking a significant career break can be daunting, as Smith of TaskRabbit discovered.

She and her husband faced concerns from mentors about the potential impact on their careers.

“More than one mentor cautioned me about the potential negative impact to my career,” Smith recalled.

“I guess I believed then that the gap year would allow me to pick up new skills, and that I needed to share this belief with others.”

Overcoming these fears can be a challenge, but the rewards can be significant.

Organizational benefits of leadership sabbaticals

Executive sabbaticals can also benefit organizations.

A CEO’s temporary absence can stress-test leadership structures, provide opportunities for other team members to step up, and even serve as a trial run for succession planning.

Liew observed that his absence created “upward momentum” in his team’s careers, as they took on greater responsibilities.

Liew’s only regret is not taking his sabbatical earlier.

While teenagers’ social needs necessitated a change of plans, the overall experience was profoundly positive.

His advice to others considering a similar break? Do it sooner rather than later.

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In this week’s LATAM crypto update, we saw two key launches: Crypto.com’s new Visa card and Nubank Brazil’s new crypto tool exchange in its App.

Crypto.com’s highly anticipated Visa card aims to meet the increasing demand for practical cryptocurrency usage in the region.

The card allows users to preload funds from both cryptocurrency wallets and fiat currency, making it accessible to a broader audience, from crypto enthusiasts to traditional users.

The card offers a range of rewards, including cashback and exclusive offers, making it an attractive option for consumers.

Meanwhile, Nubank Brazil, one of the largest digital banks in the region, has introduced a new crypto exchange tool within its app, allowing users to swap cryptocurrencies seamlessly.

In the coming weeks, Nubank customers will be able to exchange Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Uniswap (UNI) for USDC, a stablecoin that has become popular for its low volatility.

Many Nubank clients have been seeking ways to integrate cryptocurrencies into their investment strategies, and the new swap feature provides an ideal solution.

Coincaex survey on cryptocurrencies

A recent survey by Coincaex highlights the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies in Central America, with 80.6% of respondents purchasing crypto primarily as a long-term investment.

The study reveals that 64.5% of users view cryptocurrencies as a store of value, while only 12.9% use them for everyday purchases.

The rise in crypto adoption is driven by high transaction costs and limited access to traditional banking services, making digital assets an attractive alternative.

Despite the growth of cryptocurrencies, traditional banking and cash still dominate the financial landscape in the region, with 77.4% of participants relying on banks and 41.9% using cash for daily transactions.

Javier Milei raises concerns about cryptocurrencies

Argentine President Javier Milei has raised concerns about the growing use of cryptocurrencies, criticizing the increasing involvement of states in the sector.

Speaking at an event in Buenos Aires, Milei argued that cryptocurrencies are empowering technologies that enable individuals to break free from the monopoly of traditional currencies.

His comments highlight a dilemma in the adoption of cryptocurrencies, with some fearing increased control and oversight, particularly as the US anticipates widespread adoption of bitcoin under pro-crypto leadership.

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HSBC expects a “raft of stocks” to benefit from Southeast Asian investments in infrastructure, a slowing Indian economy, and China’s stimulus blitz in 2025.

In particular, the investment firm sees Kia Corp, Meituan, and Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences as high-quality, underappreciated names that are “best positioned to capture growth from these opportunities.”

Let’s take a look at what each of these three has in store for investors.

Kia Corp (KRX: 000270)

HSBC dubs Kia stock the “best value play for 2025” as investors are yet to fully appreciate just how competitive this Korean automaker is in EVs and hybrid vehicles space.

Its analyst Will Cho expects Kia to tap on its strong margin profile to launch more competitive and affordable electric vehicles next year. Kia opened its first factory focused on EV production in October.

The investment firm expects any potential weakness in the US due to Trump’s policies to be largely offset by market share gains in the EU region.

Will Cho’s buy recommendation on Kia shares coupled with a price target of 160,000 Korean won translates to a 64% upside from here.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (NSE: KIMS)

HSBC expects Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences to benefit next year as Indians continue to invest in quality health care.

The investment firm sees KIMS as a “best-in-class small-cap” Asian stock that is particularly “well positioned to sustain healthy growth” rates over the long term.  

Krishna Institute has moved into high-end procedures including transplants and oncology and is exploring newer markets to unlock new avenues for future growth. It has also committed to expanding its bed capacity by an exciting 60% over the next three years.

Together, these moves will help the company “sustain healthy margins by improving its revenue mix,” as per HSBC.

The investment firm has a 670 INR price target on KIMS that indicates potential for about a 14% upside from here.

Meituan (HKG: 3690)

HSBC recommends investing in Meituan as it’s a “best-in-class large cap” that stands to meaningfully benefit from China’s new policy measures.

The investment firm likes this name as it has remained resilient in the face of macro challenges. “High-quality growth, improving profitability, and limited competition” were among the reasons HSBC cited this week in his bullish note.

Analysts at the firm expect Meituan to grow its top line by 20% this year and another 17% in 2025. “Its earnings quality is one of the best in the sector,” they added.

Compared to its internet peers, Meituan is “relatively under-owned” at writing. Less than half of the global emerging market funds currently own this stock versus “two out of every three funds” for Tencent.

HSBC has a 220 Hong Kong dollar price target on Meituan stock that suggests it could rally up to 30% from here.

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A new survey by Empower has set a high bar for financial success in the US, revealing that an annual income of $233,000 and a net worth of $5.3 million are now considered benchmarks for achieving economic prosperity.

However, according to the Social Security Administration, these figures are out of reach for most Americans, with the typical salary in 2023 hovering around $67,000.

This stark disparity highlights the growing gap between financial aspirations and reality, especially in a year marked by economic instability, inflation, and shifting priorities.

Despite these lofty expectations, fewer than 40% of those surveyed considered themselves financially successful, and nearly half expressed doubts about reaching their ideal financial goals.

Key barriers to success, including economic instability (cited by 35% of respondents) and inconsistent income streams (30%), underscore the challenges many Americans face in balancing everyday expenses with long-term financial ambitions.

For instance, the average 401(k) balance at Fidelity Investments stood at just $127,100, far below the multimillion-dollar net worth respondents associate with success.

The high cost of homeownership is also a significant factor preventing many from achieving financial success.

With rising interest rates and sky-high property prices, many Americans find it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market, exacerbating financial inequality and making the idea of financial success seem unattainable.

Interestingly, the survey also revealed that financial success isn’t entirely tied to specific monetary thresholds.

Forty-three percent of participants said they don’t associate success with a fixed financial figure, and nearly 60% valued happiness as their primary measure of success.

For these individuals, happiness is defined as the ability to spend on things and experiences that bring joy.

Other essential components of success included physical well-being and free time, with over a third of respondents emphasizing their importance.

Generational differences also played a role in defining financial success.

Younger Americans were more likely to focus on free time and personal fulfillment, while older generations placed greater importance on wealth accumulation and financial stability.

This generational divide reflects a broader shift in attitudes toward work-life balance and financial planning, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

With rising inflation, interest rates, and job market uncertainty, many Americans feel increasing financial anxiety.

Nearly half of those surveyed expressed doubts that they would achieve their financial milestones, underscoring the need for policy reforms aimed at improving wage growth, affordability, and access to financial resources.

The survey, which included 2,203 respondents across the US, paints a complex picture of financial success—one that blends traditional monetary goals with non-financial aspirations like health, happiness, and leisure.

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