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You Too Can Take A Vacation Surveys are interesting. I took note of this one done recently by American Express because it backed up some data I learned at the (National Association of Female Executives) NAFE National Conference in May. According to the survey, 40% of the smallest executive owners - those with less than $200,000 in annual revenues - are planning no tour whatsoever this summer. But even executive owners with higher revenues aren't doing much better - only 75% of them expect to get away from the executive this summer. As we were told at the NAFE Conference, even those executive owners who do get away from the office, won't truly get away. Rather, one in three will link their tour time to a executive trip and 50% will still check in with the office at least once a day. Why can't executive owners let go? What are the concerns that keep them tied to the executive? According to the survey: * An important client or customer will not receive appropriate service
Such concerns are not surprising. It is hard for a executive owner to take any type of tour worry-free. But with planning, preparation and good leadership you can boost the enjoyment level of your time off to come back refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities. Here are 8 steps to prevent tour angst. 1. Make a plan - To avoid surprises, create a list of scenarios on your current projects and brief your staff on the possibilities and your major concerns about each client. Assign specific staff to each client/account so there is someone that clients can speak to who understands their concerns when you aren't there. 2. Brief your key clients or customers - Offer them advance notice of any extended absence you are planning. There's no reason to keep your tour schedule a secret. Introduce them to your deputy and convey your confidence in their ability to handle any issues that may arise. If appropriate, consider letting them know how to reach you should a true emergency arise - not that one will because of all your pre-planning. 3. Leadership is being a delegator not a dictator - If you never delegate important tasks to others, you can't expect them to be ready to fill your shoes when you want to take time off. To create a saner situation and build confidence that good things will happen when you aren't there, learn to delegate responsibilities - divvy up those pieces that must still happen in your absence and postpone those that can wait for your return. 4. Strategically schedule your tour time - Most executivees have a slow season or times of the year when the pace is slower, or at least a bit less crazy. Plan your tours to coincide with those lulls. 5. Mini-Vacations - If you just can't let go of the executive for a whole week or two, or you can't bear to be too far away from the office, try taking a few days out of town, or extend a weekend somewhere else. Even a brief escape from routine with a change of scenery can do wonders for your perspective and re-energize you. 6. Disconnect entirely - When you do take a tour: turn off your cell phone, don't bring the laptop, don't check your email, don't bring work with you and avoid the temptation to call or visit the office to "check up" on what's happening. If there's an emergency they can't handle, they will find you. 7. Take time off to sharpen skills - If you just can't justify taking time off to kick back and relax, then take time off to learn something new - executive or personal. Taking continuing education courses at a local college or executive school is a low-cost and effective way to break from your office routine, be with new people and try new things. Some programs are 3-5 days off-site if that fits your schedule better. 8. Keep your priorities straight - When you go through the exercise of listing the things you really care about, is your executive really #1, 2, and 3? Outside of work, your priorities might be connecting with family and friends, spending time with kids, cultivating personal interests, staying healthy or pursuing an avocation. To regain balance in your life, you need to keep work, family and personal time in perspective. Those other priorities help you find more enjoyment in your time away from the executive. Let me know if these tips help you take a well-deserved tour (or two) this summer.
Kerri Salls, MBA runs a virtual executive school to train, consult and coach small executive CEO's and entrepreneurs in 10 key strategies to make more profit in less time. Learn more at http://www.breakthrough-executive-school.com/products.html or sign up for a free weekly newsletter at http://www.breakthrough-executive-school.com/newsletter.shtml. |
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