I have been working with leaders for over 30 years and can say the pressure, pace and demands are like never before.
This is no surprise to anyone; however, it can be challenging to admit we humans are not built to sustain this pressure and pace without a respite.
As a leader, I found myself in this situation and didn’t realize it until I was asked to attend a meeting during my vacation. To be honest, my boss’s request made me tear up. This was the moment I realized I had been running too hard for too long and needed to disconnect.
My question was, “is it okay to say “no” to the meeting invite?” It was an important project and an important client. I waited to discuss this with my boss and decided to be transparent.
The response was, “I am so glad you told me that” and “there is no need for you to attend, we can manage”.
The impact of this response cannot be understated. It gave me the freedom to enjoy my time off, rest, and come back knowing I was working in the right organization with the right focus on people.
Is it safe you your team to articulate their needs to you? What would your team say about your response to vacation requests?
About the Author Julie Butcher is a Professional Executive Coach, Organizational Health Consultant and an experienced Facilitator. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
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