Leaders should not feel guilty about stepping away this summer, according to leadership expert Drew Povey, who says proper recovery is a key ingredient in maintaining strong performance throughout the rest of the year.
Drew Povey, author and founder of the Drew Povey Consultancy, has challenged five common misconceptions about summer holidays, arguing that taking time to properly recharge in July and August can help leaders return with the focus and energy needed to perform strongly through to Christmas.
Drew, who has more than twenty years’ experience working in elite level sport, education and business, says: “There are a lot of leaders I work with who carry a level of unnecessary guilt about taking time away, and others who feel like they need to rest in a certain way, as if it’s a rule.
“But actually, instead of seeing down time as slacking, we should be looking at it as an important part of working.
“What’s important to remember is that like most things in leadership, one size is never going to fit all. So the question isn’t whether you should switch off, it’s how you do it in a way that will genuinely help you perform when you return.
“There isn’t one perfect holiday strategy, but holidays are important. You’ve got to know yourself and make smart choices for you.
“The best leaders don’t copy someone else’s routine or style, they deliberately choose a recovery strategy that allows them to return with energy, better clarity, and better judgment.
“The goal isn’t simply taking time off in the summer, it’s coming back ready to lead well for those last four months.”
Here are Drew’s five holiday myths busted:
Good leaders don’t need a break
Everyone needs time away, Drew says. Some people even treat avoiding annual leave or getting by on too little sleep as a sign of dedication. This has helped create the idea that rest is somehow a weakness.
“The reality is that recovery isn’t a reward, it’s an essential part of performance,” Drew says. “Top athletes don’t get better during training, they improve during the recovery, and it’s the same in leadership.”
You need to completely switch off
How people use their downtime is a personal decision, Drew explains. Some prefer to leave their work phone and laptop behind, while others would find that more stressful and spend their holiday worrying about what they might be missing.
“If downing tools completely would create anxiety, then don’t do it,” Drew says. “Some people can enjoy their day as long as they’ve had ten minutes in the morning to check their emails, or know that someone can get hold of them if they’re needed. The trick is to communicate with your team and do what allows you to relax.”
You need at least a week off to relax
While some people prefer one substantial holiday, others recover more effectively through several shorter breaks, Drew says. A four-day break can provide plenty of recovery, meaning there is no need for people who dislike longer holidays to feel pressured into taking one. The important thing is finding a pattern that works personally.
Your holiday starts the moment you leave
“Holidays often start much earlier than when you shut down your computer,” Drew says. “You’re winding down for a few days before you’ve actually finished. The other side is that you need a few days to unwind before you can really start to relax.
“I fall into that group, which is why I’m the kind of person to take a ten-day break rather than several shorter ones. I need about three days to get into the holiday mood before I can properly switch off for a week.
“The trick is to communicate with your team and be realistic about what’s right for you.”
Summer is a time to completely ease off
July and August naturally have a different pace, and they can provide an excellent opportunity to rest and recharge, Drew says. However, leaders should avoid allowing a more relaxed summer to turn into an extended period of losing momentum.
“There’s no point coasting along if you’ve a busy September planned, because September isn’t built in September, it’s built in the habits we choose in July and August,” Drew says. “Rest will help us finish the last four months of the year strong, but we need to make sure we’re not stepping off too much or dropping our standards, because otherwise it will come back to bite us.”
