A client told me, “I haven’t had a real vacation in five years.”
He takes off a long weekend every now and then. But, even when he’s gone, he still checks in and monitors what’s happening via email or voice mail every few hours.

It’s not healthy.
For him or for his team. He’s holding on too tightly. And then the boss holds on that tightly to control, it doesn’t leave room for anyone else to take ownership of the business.

And the focus of the culture shifts.
The team culture gets centered on the boss.  Not the customer. It’s a boss-focused culture. Not a mission-driven one.

In a boss-focused culture, people pay more attention to the boss’s mood than to customer satisfaction.
The activities of the team follow the moods of the boss. If the boss is in a bad mood, team members warn each other to “steer clear”.
During team meetings everyone addresses their comments to the boss (not each other).
Nothing of significance gets decided by anyone but the boss.
It’s understood that the team is there to carry out the directions of the boss.
There’s no succession plan in place.

There’s a certain satisfaction in being indispensable.
It feeds the ego when you’re the go-to person for every problem. It’s just not leadership. Leadership is more about serving the customer and the mission then one’s own sense of importance.
It’s about sharing power with others so that they can extend the work of your organization beyond your reach.
It’s about becoming dispensable so that others can carry on the mission when you’re not around.

That’s why it’s part of leadership to go on vacation.
And when you’re away, don’t call the office. No email. Just let go. Leave someone else in charge.
It may feel risky. But, that’s the first sign that you’re exercising leadership – when what you’re doing feels risky.

So, risk it. Book the flight. Lie on the beach. Go skiing. Whatever you enjoy most.
Your team will have a chance to grow while you’re tanning.

Questions for Reflection & Action

• How can you make yourself more dispensable?
• What project will you let go of – so others can take more ownership?
• Where will you go for your next vacation?

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