Time off is not a luxury—it's a necessity of leadership. As the weeks click by, it's easy to catch ourselves thinking that a restful vacation would be a "nice-to-have," that whatever we are doing is too important to leave, or that time off during this economy may threaten job security. So be it. Absent the perspective gained from disconnection and distance, a leader can miss important, often simple or obvious opportunities. If you can’t remember your last time off, or haven’t planned a vacation, the return on your efforts may be diminishing even now, which, in itself, can cause leadership issues. Take vacation seriously, and the time spent away can lead you to new ways to achieve sustainable success for your enterprise.
Self-coaching Questions:
- What barriers stand in the way of planning and taking a vacation?
- What’s at stake if I don’t take a vacation in the near future, and how does that weigh against the risk of taking one?
- What type of time off would I find most relaxing and conducive to disconnecting from everything work-related?
Executive Coach and President
Leadership Unleashed
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Note: Over 100 of these tips appear in my book: Beyond Effective: Practices in Self-aware Leadership. Click on the image of the book for more information.
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