What Really Happens When The Cat Goes Away

It happened four years ago, right around this time.

I was checking off all of my tasks before leaving for vacation when I got an email from my editor. It seems she had decided she was also taking the following week off.

“Noooooooooo!” I cried (at least, in my head).

It was the last thing I wanted to hear. Because it meant the one time she was finally going to leave us on our own, I wouldn’t be there to reap the benefits. I glared enviously at my colleagues, who shrieked with delight, knowing they’d be free from her micromanaging for an entire week. I seethed at the thought of them being able to make independent decisions, complete tasks without having to constantly check in, and leave at a reasonable hour.

I was missing out on the freedom of having the boss away, and I wasn’t happy. And although this (unfortunately true) story was a bit extreme, it demonstrates that if you really want to take the temperate of your culture, you need to go away.

In recent years, much has been written about the benefits of vacation time, particularly for those in positons as stressful and demanding as that of a CIO. In a recent blog, Sarah Richardson, CIO of NCH Healthcare System, wrote, “My greatest ideas come when I am refreshed and return from being unplugged.” Former CIO Steve Huffman once wrote, “Vacation time is critical to relax and regroup.”

For leaders, the upside is evident. But here’s what many don’t realize: when you go away, your staff benefits as well. Here’s how:

1. When you leave, we get to take on new tasks or responsibilities. Maybe it’s leading — or sitting in on — a meeting, maybe it’s giving a green light to a project, or finding a reason to halt it. By stepping away and letting us shoulder some of the burden, you’re helping us to learn what goals we might want to pursue, and what tasks just don’t suit us. And as an added bonus, we often develop a whole new appreciation for everything you do on an everyday basis.
2. We have interactions we otherwise wouldn’t have had in your presence. Last year, when Anthony went on vacation, Nancy and I still went ahead with the weekly staff call, and it provided a new perspective for both of us. Without Anthony leading it, we were both forced to step forward, and speaking for myself, I found it to be a little scary but very energizing.
3. We get to prove to you that the place doesn’t fall apart when you’re gone. This one is big, because even if we know you trust us, we still want the opportunity to prove that we can take the wheel and keep the ship on course.
4. When you come back relax and energized, we reap the benefits. We know we’re getting your full attention and can approach you with the ideas we’ve come up with in your absence.

Now of course, if you want to truly reap the benefits of vacation, it’s critical to do all the necessary preparations, from reviewing major projects with key leaders to cleaning out email (for more on this, read this excellent piece by Joey Hobbs). What’s just as important, according to former CIO Steve Huffman, is crafting a smart re-entry strategy. For example, he suggests coming back on a Thursday rather than a Monday, and not overfilling your schedule by cramming in quick meetings. “Lay low for a day to ensure you get the proper team updates and know when and where to jump in after vacation,” he wrote.

Huffman also urges leaders to mark your return by asking questions, not making assumptions. “There is no need to lead with a can of gas and start throwing it around when you hit the door. Ease back in to allow a smooth transition back to work.”

And if all of that sounds like a lot, remember this: Just by going away, you’re already taking a big step in the right direction.

You need the time away — and so does your staff.