Introduction
Q1 2026 will be a very meaningful quarter for Chile. A new political scenario, changing market dynamics, and the country’s summer rhythm all come together at a time when many executives are making important decisions about their organizations, their teams, and often about their own next chapter.
This period is often misunderstood. I’ve received questions from clients about this. There is a perception that December through March are “slow” months, but in practice it is one of the most defining moments of the year. What happens during these months can shape priorities, momentum, and outcomes beyond the first quarter.
For executives who read the moment well, Q1 is not something to get through. It is a moment to position oneself and the organization thoughtfully.
A New Political Context
Chile enters 2026 with a new president José Antonio Kast, just elected, which brings attention from boards, investors, and senior leadership teams who are assessing direction, timing, and exposure.
Following the election, Diario Financiero reported immediate market reactions, including a rally in the IPSA index and a strengthening of the Chilean peso. Business associations such as the CPC also signaled early willingness to engage with the new government, highlighting themes such as regulatory clarity and investment conditions.
For executives, this context adds a layer of complexity to Q1. It is not about predicting outcomes, but about recognizing that decisions, corporate and personal, are being made with more care and sequencing.
Summer in Chile: A Different Rhythm
At the same time, Chile’s calendar works differently from the Northern Hemisphere. January and February are summer vacation months. Many teams slow operationally, but business does not stop.
According to INE data, around 60% of professionals take vacation during February, yet organizations continue to operate with lighter agendas. For many executives, summer becomes a moment to reassess priorities, think more clearly about leadership challenges, team dynamics, and personal direction.
December: Closing and Signaling
December is intense. More than 80% of Chilean companies experience peak workload at year-end, driven by budget closures, performance reviews, and planning cycles.
For executives in role, December is about closing the year, communicating priorities, acknowledging teams, and having conversations that set expectations for what comes next.
For executives in transition, December is a time for thoughtful reconnections and year-end conversations that help keep relationships warm and relevant without forcing them.
January: Quiet Progress
January is often underestimated, it actually quietly shapes what happens later.
Recruitment firms report that a significant portion of executive searches begin informally in January, even if roles are announced in March. Conversations happen earlier than many assume.
For executives in leadership roles, January offers fewer distractions and more room for strategic conversations, both internally and externally. For those in transition, it is a positioning month. Early dialogue can determine whether doors open later.
February: Reflection and Readiness
February slows things down further on the surface, but activity continues beneath it.
Some recruitment processes move forward, and many leaders use this time to step back. For executives in role, February can be the only moment in the year to reflect honestly on leadership effectiveness, energy, and direction. For those in transition, it is a month to refine the story, sharpen focus, and prepare for movement.
What is clarified here becomes visible very quickly once the year accelerates.
March: When It Moves
March is Chile’s real reset. Budgets activate, teams return, and decisions move quickly. Hiring typically increases sharply, and roles that were discussed quietly over the summer become formal. Data consistently shows a strong rise in hiring activity in March compared to January and February.
By this point, many outcomes are already taking shape. Those who stayed engaged during the summer tend to move with the market. Those who waited often feel they are catching up.
Final Thoughts
The December to March cycle is not a pause. It is an opportunity.
In a year where we anticipate political change and shifting priorities, executives who understand Chile’s rhythm gain something valuable: perspective.
• December closes and signals
• January positions
• February clarifies
• March accelerates
Career development and transition at this level is about timing, clarity, and presence. Q1 2026 offers all three, if approached intentionally.
If you would like support in thinking through your career development, transition, or executive positioning in Chile’s current context, I would be glad to connect. I work with senior leaders in moments where perspective, timing, and clarity make the difference.
Original content by Ophelia Fox. Developed with the support of ChatGPT.
Sources
- Diario Financiero (Chile): Market reaction to the 2025 presidential election, IPSA performance, peso movement, and business association statements
- Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (INE), Chile: Workforce vacation patterns and seasonal labor data
- Cámara de Comercio de Santiago (CCS): Year-end workload and business cycle reporting
- Recruitment industry insights: Michael Page / PageGroup Chile market activity summaries