Can You Take a Vacation from Leading?
Team Dynamics
June 26, 2014
Becky Robinson
Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence
Topics
Example, Standard, Unplugged, vacationI am in the midst of my annual "working" vacation. For the past six summers, I've brought my daughters to visit my parents for a week or longer, with the understanding that I'll work while we're away.
In the early years, balancing work with vacation on these trips happened easily. I spent time writing at Starbucks while the girls had a fun activity with my parents, or I worked during afternoon down-time while the girls watched a movie.
As my work life has become more demanding, the balancing has become significantly more challenging, to the point that I think the usefulness of working vacation in my life has ended.
I can take a trip with the agreement that I am working while my family is vacationing. Or I can take a vacation.
The idea of a working vacation is a flimsy way of excusing my choice to stay connected. By saying I am taking a working vacation, I allow an unhealthy slide from the intended outcome of taking a break to business as usual.
A working vacation can become boundary-less and counterproductive.
Will I feel refreshed when I return? Not if I never disconnect and unplug.
Can I take a vacation from leading my team?
If I take a true vacation, I am leading my team with a healthy example and freedom to disconnect fully during breaks from work.
Or if I tell my team I am on vacation and fail to fully unplug, I am leading them down a detrimental path.
My lack of boundaries teaches others to bend their boundaries.
When I repeatedly show up to phone meetings with my team, send/
respond to their email, and participate fully in our Facebook group conversation threads when I am supposed to be on vacation, I may be leading them to believe I expect them to make the same choices.
I am setting an example, and not one I want anyone to emulate.
I cannot take a vacation from leading, but I can take a vacation.
Although I am not sure how I will make next year different, I want to lead myself, my family, and my team more effectively. I am convinced that I will be able to do so far more effectively when I incorporate the disciple of true rest and a (not-working-at-all) vacation.
Thank you Becky for reinforcing this in our lives! It’s far, far too easy in our connected world to not unplug. Yet working vacations never achieve it’s purpose – it’s never an effective work time or vacation. Your points about boundaries is much needed; we spend so much time breaking down walls that hinder, but some boundaries are needed to achieve outcomes.
A refreshing post, if I may say so. Appreciate it!
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I understand the difficulty all too well about disconnecting during vacation. I am actually responding to this post during my vacation.
Although I haven’t responded to more than 2 to 3 “work” emails during the week, I’ve been keeping my finger on the pulse by monitoring my inbox. I know that’s not healthy, but as you demonstrate so well – it’s difficult not to do.
One of the best vacations I have taken, however, was an Alaskan cruise where there was no Internet, except in port. I was unable to monitor and the funny thing was, nothing bad ever happened.
Becky, I agree with Paul’s comment- THANK YOU for reinforcing this! In a previous role, my manager used to brag that he hadn’t used a single vacation day in 8 years. Every time he said it (which was often), I felt that he, in turn, expected us not to utilize vacation days. Even with the knowledge that those vacations would lead to me being more productive and healthy, I felt anxious every time I had to let him know I would be “on vacation.” I never wanted to portray my lack of dedication and loyalty to my job- I just sometimes wanted to unplug and ‘sharpen my saw.’
Now, as I step into leadership roles, I recognize the importance of truly unplugging and truly taking a break when I say I will. It is healthy for me, but also models the behavior I expect in others.
What have you done to prepare to ‘unplug’ that have allowed you to disconnect both physically and mentally?
Thanks,
Danielle Elizabeth Aaronson
@deaaronson