Taking a Leadership “Time-Out”
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
Growing up, being put in time-out wasn’t a thing. By the time I became a parent, everyone was talking about whether it worked as punishment for his/her child. But honestly, why does time-out have to be a bad thing? Why should it have that negative connotation? Especially if we need it!
Hence, the concept of Leadership Time-Outs.
In a fast-paced world of business, leaders often find themselves immersed in the daily operations of their company. Once you identify in the leader role, it often comes with the belief that being a leader means being available 24/7, even if out of the office at the end of the day or while on vacation. With the advancement of technology, competitive work environments, and the perception that our value is defined by our productivity, we as a society have not only created but fostered, this culture of busyness.
And let’s not forget FOMO – the idea that if we don’t attend a conference or event, leave one early, or don’t have our hand in every pot, so to speak, at the office, we’ll either miss something or be looked at as not dedicated enough. In our mind, the results are disastrous.
Or so we think.
As leaders, it is our responsibility, not just to our employees, but also to ourselves, to recognize that this busyness mindset has more negative benefits than positive. Constant busyness leads to elevated stress and burnout, impaired cognitive functioning, creativity and decision-making, and strained relationships. As a leader, if you refuse to take time off, the message you send to your employees is that there is a lack of trust. But as a leader, it is our job to empower our employees, teach them how to grow, and trust that we are not the only person who can get the job done.
Ring a bell? Sound familiar?
You bet it does. I wholeheartedly admit that I once was one of those leaders early on in my career Maybe it had to do with my Type A personality, maybe it had to do with my control issues. Or maybe it had to do with the fact that I was once told if I ever expected to advance in my corporate job then I had to learn quickly there was no such thing as checking out.
How did that work out for me you ask? Not well.
You see, as a leader, I knew I had to bring 110% of my “A” game every day. It goes unsaid that the responsibilities and pressures of leadership can be overwhelming and lead to burnout if not managed properly. So, I learned that by stepping away from the daily grind, I was able to replenish my energy reserves, get some clarity, and return to my role with renewed focus and motivation.
Leadership timeouts also promote delegation and empowerment within the organization. When leaders are too involved, they stifle growth and create an environment of mistrust. By delegating more and allowing employees to take on their roles, employees develop new skills, demonstrate their capabilities, and foster a sense of ownership and accountability among team members. It also allows for an environment of innovation and creativity to form. When employees are brought to the table and allowed to give input, it creates a space for reflection, brainstorming, and even experimentation with outside-of-the-box thinking.
The first vacation I took where I put on my out-of-office response and left instructions on who should handle what was groundbreaking for me. I came back after being gone for a week with a new sense of purpose. The sky looked bluer. The tasks I had were less daunting. I felt like myself again.
Finally, taking a time-out as a leader sets a positive tone for the rest of the organization. It demonstrates that as a leader prioritizing your health, you want your employees to make their self-care a priority. In the end, happier and healthier employees are more dedicated, which results in improved morale and job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced turnover.
10 ways to take a Leadership Time Out:
1. Schedule regular breaks during the day by blocking off time on your calendar.
2. Designate “no work” times such as when you are at dinner, after a certain time in the evening, or on weekends.
3. Unplug by limiting the use of digital devices during certain hours
4. Take vacation time and prioritize taking the vacation to fully disconnect from work.
5. Pursue a hobby or explore new experiences
6. Invest in personal development and growth by being ready, attending seminars, or taking online classes.
7. Seek support from a mentor or coach.
8. Delegate
9. Practice the Pomodoro Technique to focus on one task for a specific time
10. Exercise – the benefits of physically moving cannot be stressed enough.
