Time you had a break!
In the past week where our political Leaders have taken some flak for swapping an office chair for a deck chair, we ask in what circumstances can a leader take a holiday without howls of protest resulting?
In a time where certain leaders have been accused of ‘being on the beach’ while (pretty much, literally) a city burns, we consider the need that surely we all have to rest and recharge.
Firstly, the context is important.
So, you’re in charge of a project that is about to go live after much time and resource invested…..
Or you’re in charge of a project with a particular line in your risk analysis showing red and what you hoped would not happen – looks likely to happen……
Or, it’s that time of the year when you know orders/production ramp up….
The context offers a guide that it may not be the best time to take that well-deserved annual leave.
Unless……you can convince that yes, you can see that risk becoming manifest but the mitigation that you had in place is the most robust of plans and the team is rehearsed and set to address.
Unless….you’ve given your direct report a full brief of how to get through this uptick in production activity and orders and they’re eminently capable, see the development opportunity available and are reminded that you’re still contactable.
Unless….the project is in perfectly good hands and ….well, no, in this case , it’s your baby , the beach can wait.
If you’ve got a diary filled with key meetings with stakeholders in the middle of holiday-time that you have to renegotiate then, well, that’s poor planning. If you’ve kids at school then it’s wise to understand the need for family holidays and their reliance on the academic year.
So what is this about?
Planning. If some important activity directly related to your ultimate responsibility is planned then try not to organise an annual break then. If you know that plans can fail (and yes, they can) then what contingencies have you planned you mitigate and how convinced are you – and others around you – convinced that the contingencies will work?
Decision-Making. Leaders are in the role to make the right decisions. And met with the contexts described above and a whole host of other circumstances – you need to decide. And when you make that decision, understand that it will be retrospectively analysed and that you’re being watched as you make that decision. And your Planning and Decision-Making will be much of what others see you in you as a Leader.
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