Newsletters
[This month’s newsletter comes from Managing Principal and IA co-leader Kimberly Carroll.]
At IA we have unlimited time off, but do you really think we as leaders truly take advantage of it? Of course…NOT.
To be completely honest, I have always struggled with taking time, but I’ve come to realize that this downtime is critically important. Here’s why:
- Recharge Productivity: Taking time off recharges productivity and enhances the ability to perceive new directions. When leaders return from a vacation, they often bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to their roles.
- Lead by Example: Leaders serve as role models for their teams. By heeding their own vacation policies, they demonstrate the importance and value of taking time off work. When leaders prioritize self-care, it encourages employees at all levels to do the same.
- Trust and Empowerment: When leaders take vacations, it sends a powerful message: they trust their team’s ability to manage without them. This fosters a sense of empowerment among team members, allowing them to step up and take ownership.
- Remuneration Reminder: Vacation time is not just a job perk; it’s part of employees’ remuneration. Leaders who take vacations remind their teams that time off is essential for overall well-being and should be embraced.
Taking a vacation isn’t just about leisure; it has significant health benefits as well. I know that we get busy, and we forget to take care of ourselves. And sure, you can exercise, eat right, not drink, YADDA YADDA YADDA, but I am not convinced that is all it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle. As leaders we need to encourage our teams to take advantage of the time so they can be the best versions of themselves.
I am not saying that we don’t have to work hard but we should also be able to let that go to allow ourselves time to focus on:
- Enhanced Mental Health: Prolonged exposure to stress can alter brain structure, leading to anxiety and depression. Vacations provide a much-needed break, allowing feelings of calm to emerge and relieving stress.
- Greater Well-Being: Regular travelers tend to have higher well-being scores. After a vacation, physical complaints, sleep quality, and mood improve significantly. These gains persist even weeks later, especially for those who had more personal time and overall satisfaction during their vacation.
- Increased Mental Motivation: Returning from vacation often leads to increased focus and productivity. Taking time off acts like a mental tune-up, improving cognitive function and overall mental health.
So, as a leader I am taking some time at the end of May to celebrate a milestone birthday for my husband and a milestone wedding anniversary (30 years – wow – getting old). I challenge other leaders [@Mark Stelzner], to go ahead and plan that getaway—it’s not only good for you but also sets a positive example for your entire organization! 🌴✨
— Kimberly Carroll
Managing Principal/Co-leader/PTO Advocate, IA
Voice of HR
HR transformation in 2024: Doing more with less
IA’s Mary Faulkner provides some ideas for HR leaders faced with the reality of an increasing workload without an equal increase of resources.
Where you can find us
As always, we are grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to participate in a number of events in 2024:
- February 27-29, 2024: Managing Principal Kimberly Carroll will be attending this month’s ADP Meeting of the Minds in San Diego. It’s a great opportunity to meet one-on-one with one of IA’s leaders!
- April 24-26, 2024: Get ready to ignite positive change in your organization with innovative and transformative ways to positively influence your people strategies that go beyond best practices at the new Human Resource Executive® Conference: Elevate People, Ignite Change 2024 or EPIC 2024! IA’s own Kimberly Carroll and Mary Faulkner are facilitating a workshop titled From Frustration to Focus: Activating your EPIC Insights. Visit the web site to learn more about this new conference and to register today!
- May 14-16, 2024: ERE.net is gearing up for their next Recruiting Conference, and Mary Faulkner will be moderating a panel of experts discussing the elusive hiring metric “quality of hire”! Be sure to sign up to learn more about the event.
On Our Radar
It’s only February and already there are some very interesting stories with the potential of changing the way we approach work. Here are a couple that the team found and wanted to highlight:
The remote vs hybrid vs in-person tension rages on within organizations. And while hybrid seems to be the compromise most companies have landed on, managers still seem to struggle with leading people they don’t see face-to-face every day. The data suggests that in-person workers are being promoted and rewarded disproportionately, which profoundly skews the profile of leadership.
If you’re one of those people who assumes nobody likes you, cheer up! Turns out people like us more than we think. So rather than assume that every action is a battle, the science suggests you can approach every encounter as reconnecting with an old friend. Embrace your inner Sally Field!
About IA
As trusted advisors to senior leaders, IA supports strategic initiatives that transform the way organizations work.
Our seasoned team of professionals apply a revolutionary eye, deep domain experience, and flexible tools to accelerate the achievement of even the most ambitious goals. With a cross-functional, strategic perspective, we thrive on big, messy problems. Whether large or small, public or private, domestic or international, it’s our job to support leaders and their teams in achieving outcomes that are truly unique to their culture and objectives.
Every organization has a catalyst for change – learn more at ia-hr.com.
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