Get out of the office, for everyone’s sake

Have you made time to get out of the office for a break this summer? If so, great! You can skip to the Coach’s Nudge below. If not, read on. I’d like to help you get something on the calendar.

Taking time to rest, relax and take care of your health isn’t a luxury. 

It’s essential that leaders carve time for themselves to build and renew the energy it takes to lead. 

Thanks to a great summer vacation, I’m feeling ready and excited for Q4. I’ve been prioritizing taking significant time off during the summers for the past few years. I recharge my batteries by immersing myself in the things I love. I spend time with family and friends, get outdoors, go to our cottage, get projects done around the house – my holiday feeds me and makes me better, clearer, stronger and more appreciative when I’m back at work.

If your life was a book, what word would you use as the title for this year’s chapter? Respect? Laughter? Explore? Freedom? Perseverance? Put another way, what word – if you focused on it all year – would help you live your vision?

Are you letting something core slide because you are focused on something new?

Can you imagine a new approach that enables you to address your core responsibilities while taking on the challenge?

Who on your team has really grown by working with you? Have you told them what a kick you get out of their success?

What is the culture in your office around taking breaks?

What can you do to lead your team to improve their overall performance by taking breaks?

What could you do this weekend that would inspire you for the rest of the week?

Can your current work and lifestyle habits sustain you over the long haul?

What message are you sending to your team with your habits?

Someone around you is waiting for you to ask them a direct question, can you ask that question today?

What one behaviour or attitude could you change to help yourself be a better leader? Can you change it?

What would you like others to say about you after you’re gone? Would they say it?

What would you try today if you knew you could not fail?

What would it take for you to win the gold medal in management this year?

What emotion did you feel when you walked into the office today? Not sure? Ask your colleagues. They probably picked up on it immediately.

Year end review questions

Share these questions with your team as you review and debrief together, and ask them of yourself too:

• What went well for you last year?
• What are you most proud of?
• What did you overcome that you didn’t think you could?
• What fears did you face?
• What mistakes did you make?
• What did you lose that you took for granted?
• Where did you get stronger?

What’s one thing you could do outside of work that would really make you come alive? When are you planning to do it?

Who or what is getting your best energy right now? Where do you need to invest more energy to improve your life?

What could you do today to really help someone you know?

What is the boldest thing you could do this week? How could your life be better if you do it?

Who are you at your best? What do you need to do to be that person more often?

What is your biggest strength? How can you use it today to better help yourself and those around you?