Michael Simonet’s Post

Settling back in isn’t as easy as I thought. After three months my family and me are still in the middle of the “arriving” phase. After more than a decade abroad, coming back feels both familiar and foreign at the same time. I share some of these reflections on LinkedIn, sometimes a bit provocative on purpose, to spark engagement and honest conversation. Because the truth is: there’s a lot to appreciate about Switzerland. That’s why we came back in the first place. But even so, it’s not that easy to find your footing again after so many years away. What’s been on my mind lately is the bigger picture. Can Europe, and especially the EU, Germany, and Switzerland, keep up in the long run? Switzerland is still in a strong position compared to most. But with a weakening EU and a struggling Germany, one can’t help but wonder: how much does that strength really count in the long term? Right now, it feels less like an upward climb and more like a slow descent, something we’re not used to. Maybe that’s what makes this moment so interesting. It forces us to rethink what stability and progress really mean, and whether our systems, as solid as they are, can still adapt fast enough to a changing world. Still, I believe Switzerland has one of the best foundations to do exactly that, to adapt. If we can combine our tradition of quality and precision with more openness, agility, and courage to experiment, we’ll not only keep up, we’ll lead again. That’s the mindset I brought back with me. Where and how can I put it into action? Picture: hiking with an old friend in the alps.