I gave a leadership presentation last month to a group of leaders and was approached at the end of the event by one of the participants. She posed a question that is often asked.
After some complimentary remarks about my message, she looked at me, took a deep breath, shrugged her shoulders and with a despondent look asked, “Were you ever tired…I mean really tired… when you were a boss?”
She told me she was a mother of four, had a demanding leadership job and was being pulled in a dizzying array of directions. Despite tremendous support from her loving husband, she was exhausted.
Sound familiar?
Surveys report that more than half of employees check email while they’re on vacation. That’s a recipe for disaster.
With all the demands we face as leaders – endless meetings and conference calls, 24/7 technology-enabled connectivity, leading smaller teams with increased work, along with the demands of family – even the most resilient leader can get overwhelmed. In fact, a recent Deloitte survey of 2500 executives in 94 countries found that overwhelmed leaders and employees are a global concern with implications not only for those leaders but for their organizations as well.
How does one prevent burnout?
During the last 10 years of my Navy career I had some extremely demanding jobs. I was very fortunate to have had a very supportive wife – Kris is still super supportive! Nonetheless, it was exceedingly difficult to balance my role as a husband and father of three with work demands. What saved me from burning out? I unplugged.
Before I had the wisdom to unplug, I’d grow resentful when reading work email while on vacation. It’s tough to have a good attitude, regardless of the role you’re in, when harboring resentment. When I became more mindful of the critical link between work-life balance and my attitude/optimism (optimism being a vitally important leadership behavior – see my power of optimism post) here’s some wise counsel a good friend gave me:
- Take vacation
- Formally assigned someone to take your place during your absence
- Have all business email sent to them in your absence
- Inform them to act on the emails as they deem fit
- Instruct them to call you if they have any questions
- Don’t read your email – actually unplug!
This proved to be a game changer for me. In addition to letting me really enjoy my vacation, I didn’t have hundreds of emails to read when I returned. Equally important I empowered one of my staff members by showing that I trusted them. Truly turning over the reins…with availability by phone if needed…is the ultimate mentoring tool. It grooms new leaders. Finally, you’re setting a great example – you’re giving others permission to enjoy time with their loved ones without guilt.
Be a great leader and unplug while vacationing…you’re giving others permission to enjoy time with their loved ones without guilt.
I don’t know how many people today actually unplug at any time. Surveys report that more than half of employees check email while they’re on vacation. That’s a recipe for disaster. We’re not robots. We need time off to recharge and reconnect with love ones…and ourselves.
Be a great leader and unplug while vacationing. Empower others to step in…I mean really step it. You’ll find it much easier to be the contented boss, spouse, parent and friend that you…and everyone around you…wants you to be.