LEADERS DO NOT RUSH BACK TO WORK
Have you ever put pressure on yourself to “rush back to work” after an illness, a vacation, or an extended leave? I know I always used to feel that way after one-week or two-week vacations, multi-day conferences, family events, and even surgeries.
What did I do? I headed into the office with a full head of steam.
-I created long to-do lists. (The OCD part of me loved checking things off those lists).
-I scheduled long meetings with each of my direct reports
-I asked for meetings with the people to whom I reported
-I requested summary memos from people documenting what I had “missed”
-I made coffee or lunch dates with colleagues from other departments to catch up on office news or gossip
-I went back and reviewed every email that I had been cced on while I was out
-I listened to every voice mail message that I had received (I am talking about an era before texting or Substack)
-I roamed the halls catching up with people
I was reminded of these past efforts this past week when I had a phone conversation (yes – I still use my cell phone for talking) with one of my sons, who is going back to work tomorrow after three months off for paternity leave.
He and I discussed his priorities for his first days back at work. I thought about all the times I had been off from work for an extended time and how I started feeling stressed several days before I was scheduled to return to the office. As we conversed, I realized that after many years of practice, I would approach these transitions in a much different manner.
These days my two sons have fun teasing me about how reflective I have become in my old age. I believe that if we are fortunate, age can bring wisdom and wisdom can include a desire to reflect upon past experience, current circumstances and desired long-term goals. Instead of rushing back to work after absences, we can all benefit from intentional reflection before we ever set foot in our offices, whether they are remote home offices or traditional brick-and-mortar offices.
We can return with a series of critical questions – for others and for ourselves:
-What are the key points I want to learn from each of my direct reports?
-What were their major accomplishments while I was out?
-What were their major challenges while I was out?
-How did they address those challenges?
-What did they learn about themselves while I was out?
-Who did they rely on for advice and support?
-What skills did they sharpen during my time away?
-What key knowledge tips did they acquire?
-What new goals did they establish?
-With whom did they work most collaboratively?
-What new leadership ideas might I learn from the person(s) who managed them in my absence?
-Most importantly, what else might they want to tell me about what transpired while I was away? (Often this “what else” question can be the most valuable question we pose upon our return to work).
The questions we ask ourselves once we start work again can be equally valuable?
-What did time away from my job teach me?
-What have I noticed about my attitude towards my work?
-What else have I reflected upon about my role?
-What new energy can I bring to my team?
-How can I be a more communicative leader when I return?
-What team member relationships do I wish to focus on strengthening?
-How can I engage in excellent priority setting when I get back?
-How can I make the best use of my time to optimize my own effectiveness?
-What do I wish to accomplish in my first week back? In my first month back?
-What else can I do to serve as a great leader, manager, colleague and mentor going forward?
Please remember that it is too easy to “rush back to work” and find ourselves submerged in to-do lists, urgent projects, and other people’s urgent priorities.
Don’t fall victim to that constant “busyness.” Pause. Give yourself permission to slow down. Be intentional. Think about how you want to show up for the people around you – in face-to-face conversations, in meetings, on Zoom and in written communication.
If you have trusting colleagues at work, wait a week after your return and ask them how they are noticing you. Take in the feedback. Think about it. Then strive to act on it. Allow your time away from work- regardless of the reason – to be a growth and learning experience on your leadership journey.
If you believe this content would resonate with a friend or colleague, please feel free to forward it along!
-Larry