My Letter to leaders - Have a break…have an actual break
Now, I’m not suggesting (or advertising) that eating a Kit-Kat is the solution to taking a proper break from work but this advertisement did make me chuckle as it gets to the heart of the challenge of stepping away for a break - it’s very hard to physically and digitally switch off!
Whether we celebrate it or not, we are heading towards the Christmas and New Year holidays where many of us have time away from work and with family and friends. It often feels like the light at the end of a busy tunnel and the light that many people are working (crawling!) towards to be able to take a breath.
So how should we spend this time? How do we balance the demands of the season, family plans and expectations with the need to recharge for the busy year ahead?
For our own wellbeing it is important to take time to detach and recharge. It is always a time where immune systems are under threat from the limited sunlight in the northern hemisphere, the attacks from various seasonal viruses and also the fact that we may be tired and under-rested from working hard to close out the year. Therefore, from a health perspective, sleep, nutrition, exercise are critical.
But as a leader it’s broader than that. Leaders have a responsibility to recharge to ensure they are in a strong position to fulfil the role of providing strategic direction and create the conditions for teams to deliver what’s most important. To do that we must hold space for ourselves to reflect, read, learn, think and plan. It’s not an option, it’s a necessity to ensure we can have the impact we want to and need to in 2025, for our business and for our people.
So how do we do this? Here are some of my suggestions:
Reflect on the year by asking yourself some questions - what were the standout moments of the past year? What were you most proud of? What habits, behaviours or relationships held you back? Which ones helped you accelerate? What do you want to do differently next year? This allows you to consciously close the year and gives you ideas for what needs to be in place for a successful 2025.
Prioritise genuine rest. Studies show that full detachment from work during holidays leads to better energy levels and performance when you return. It’s not easy to fully disconnect, especially as a business owner or executive, but with careful planning and delegation you can protect some time for rest and recovery (and turn that phone off for a few hours!).
Move and get out into nature. A study from Stanford University found that spending just 15 minutes in nature boosts creativity by 50%, which is critical for senior leaders requiring innovative thinking. Take time to move your body and if you can do this in nature that’s even better. Walking with others is also a great time to really be present and reconnect.
Nurture personal relationships. Be truly present during time spent with your loved ones. Play some board games, watch those Christmas specials and enjoy some festive food and drink without feeling guilty!
Give back to the community. The holidays are a great time to help others and foster a sense of purpose and perspective. Doing this with family and loved ones helps reconnect and build shared values.
Now, I don’t want this to feel like another list of things to do so pick and choose what works for you while remembering that focusing on rest, relationships and reflection is necessary to recharge and prepare yourself for a productive, balanced and visionary year ahead.
And when you go back to work in January, share how you spent your holiday time with your teams. A Gallup study revealed that 53% of employees believe their work-life balance is influenced by their leader's behaviour. Leaders who model regular breaks inspire healthier habits in their teams. If you truly switch off, you are giving your teams the permission to do the same.
Happy Holidays from me!
If you would like to role model and better manage the wellbeing and resilience of yourself and your team in 2025 then we still have places on the new Holistic Leadership program, kicking off in early 2025. See more info and details of how to register here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katie-virdi-385a485_wellbeing-leadership-holistic-activity-7262088720038727681-f3Kj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
