Understanding the Importance of Taking Vacations for Leaders
As summer vacations begin, not only do students need a moment of relaxation, but also employees and managers. Taking vacations reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, and emotionally rejuvenates; however, for those in leadership positions, disconnecting can be challenging.
Leaders often worry that their absence may lead to mistakes, delays, or inappropriate decisions because they feel the need to oversee every action and believe that without their approval, business operations will grind to a halt.
The Benefits of Learning to Delegate
In reality, learning to delegate effectively and eliminating the mindset of needing to supervise every step will make it easier for leaders, or any organization member, to take vacations. This is because processes will be defined, and alternative solutions will be available for problem-solving, reducing dependency on a single person.
However, many organizations lack an operational continuity plan in case of a leader’s absence, leading directors to avoid vacations due to concerns that their team may not be ready to handle crucial decisions.
Another common issue is the absence of clear policies promoting rest, combined with a culture of presenteeism. Leaders taking time off is often viewed negatively, creating an environment where employees are reluctant to take vacations.
Consequences of Not Taking Vacations
Prolonged work hours coupled with insufficient rest can lead to consequences such as stress, physiological alterations, and various illnesses—ranging from respiratory and gastrointestinal issues to mental health problems—potentially resulting in burnout, as highlighted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
In fact, 82% of Mexicans report that burnout impacts their daily lives and can cause sleep difficulties and poor concentration, which is reflected in strained interpersonal relationships according to the Grupo AXA e Ipsos Mental Health Report.
During summer, only 40% of professionals in Mexico take a week or more for rest, while 21% do not, and 22% depend on their work flow, according to an OCC Mundial survey. This coincides with a 20% drop in engagement and motivation during this period, as reported by the American Psychological Association.
Prepare Yourself (and Your Business) for Taking Vacations
Taking vacations can cause pre-vacation stress, so it’s essential to create a delegation process, establish tasks during your absence, and train your team without overwhelming those covering for you.
Harvard Business Review offers a guide on delegating tasks before going on vacation:
- 1. Plan Ahead: Ideally, set your vacation dates early, especially for longer ones. Ensure they don’t overlap with critical work deadlines or important events requiring your presence.
- 2. Tackle Pending Items: Resolve pending matters requiring your input or supervision before vacation. Create a list of tasks to be completed during your absence, prioritizing them by importance or setting deadlines.
- 3. Coordinate with Your Team: If there’s a specific person handling your responsibilities, coordinate with them. For distributed tasks among the team, meet and define each member’s actions. Document these actions for clarity.
- 4. Communicate Your Absence: Inform clients of your vacation a day before you leave. Draft an automatic email informing them of your absence and providing contact information for colleagues who can assist during your time off.
Vacations are a much-needed break, allowing you to maintain a calm mind and make better decisions. Adequate rest also boosts performance, prevents burnout, and reduces health issues.
