Changing roles with foresight

“Aren’t you sawing at your own chair leg?” - A question that Ivano Kindler (63) often hears since handing over his management role to team member Claudia Schwyter (50). A question that becomes superfluous if you know the arc career (“Bogenkarriere”) model.

Established model
In a planned role change, a manager gradually hands over their position to a successor within the team and then continues to work in the team to secure knowledge and support the transition. There are several of these arc career pairs within the company. Ivano Kindler, former team leader in production planning at Geberit Apparate AG, believes that this is “a great opportunity for everyone involved”.

Suddenly boss
“I can't suddenly be your boss!” Claudia Schwyter was initially unsettled when her line manager let her in on his plan. But the advantages were convincing – after all, she knows the company, the role and the team. Taking part in the talent development programme gave her the tools and knowledge she needed for the management position.

They took the step at the beginning of 2025. Their example is an impressive demonstration of how a role change can succeed on an equal footing. The two clearly trust each other, treat each other with respect and even complete each other’s sentences – they are undoubtedly a well-rehearsed arc career couple.

Smooth transition
In the meantime, there is “nothing better” for Claudia Schwyter than this cross-generational role change: “You get the chance to take on a management role and continue to ask questions at the same time”. She appreciates the support, especially with the management tasks that are new to her. And for the 63-year-old Ivano Kindler, the smooth handover of his responsibilities makes his upcoming retirement easier: “With Claudia as my successor, I can retire with peace of mind.”