As leaders, especially in arts and cultural organizations, we often prioritize our teams’ well-being over our own. It's admirable, but unsustainable. I've been there—juggling meetings, late-night emails, and endless phone calls. The result? Burnout. It’s time to take control and lead by example. Let’s dive into three quick strategies to help you find balance.
Step 1: Set Boundaries with Email
You might feel compelled to reply to emails at all hours, but doing so sets the expectation that you're always available. Instead, use your email’s "Delay Delivery" feature. Write emails when it’s convenient for you, then schedule them to send during business hours. This keeps your mind clear while signaling healthy boundaries to your team.
Step 2: Manage Work While on Vacation
Taking time off is essential, and work shouldn’t dominate your downtime. Time off isn’t truly time off if you’re still working. But let’s face it—many of our jobs don’t allow us to go cold turkey with email. So here’s a compromise: turn off work email notifications on all your devices. Then set a specific time—perhaps 15 minutes in the evening—to check for anything urgent. Communicate this plan to your team so they know when to expect a reply. This approach allows you to stay on top of critical tasks without letting work overshadow your well-earned break.
Step 3: Streamline Phone Calls
Phone calls can be even more disruptive than email, especially when you’re on vacation. To manage this, designate a trusted team member as your gatekeeper. This person’s role is to filter all incoming calls and determine what truly requires your attention. Make it clear they should only reach out if the matter is urgent and can’t be handled by someone else on the team.
Update your voicemail greeting to direct work-related callers to your gatekeeper for assistance and mention that you’re not checking voicemail until you return. Empower your gatekeeper to make decisions and handle issues independently when possible. By assigning this responsibility, you’ll stay accessible for emergencies while ensuring the majority of issues are resolved without your involvement.
So there you have it! Use the Delay Delivery feature, set boundaries on email during vacations, and streamline phone calls to maintain balance and sustainability. When you implement these tips, you’ll not only protect your well-being but also set a powerful example for your team.
If you’d like help integrating these strategies into your leadership, send me a message on email or LinkedIn. And for more Quick Tips delivered to your inbox, visit navestrategies.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and submit the form. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!
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