You, Too, Can Take Six Weeks Off
You, Too, Can Take Six Weeks Off
Note: I have been really quite on OnlyOnce for a few months, I realize. It’s been a busy stretch at work and at home. I keep a steady backlog of blog topics to write about, and finally today I’ve grabbed a couple minutes on a flight to knock one out. We’ll see if this starts me back on a more steady diet of blogging – I miss it!
I’ve written in the past about our sabbatical policy at Return Path, from what it is (here) to how much I enjoyed my own (here), to how great it is when my direct reports have been on Sabbatical so I can walk a few miles in their shoes (here and here).
But recently, a fellow CEO asked me if there was a special set of rules or advice on taking a sabbatical as a CEO. My quick answer to his specific question was:
Well, first, you and your co-founder can’t take them at the same time. 🙂
But I have a longer list of thoughts as well. It’s not easy, but as I’ve said many times, it’s important and wonderful. Some tips:
- You have to make sure your balance sheet is strong and you’re not raising a round of financing
- You’re best off doing it a week or two after a Board meeting (and obviously, don’t miss one)
- You need everyone on your team to know about it and get excited for you! They will rally/rise to the occasion more than you think
- You have to do a total disconnect, otherwise it doesn’t count. Literally turn off email. But make sure the team knows they can call you if there’s a true emergency
- Put someone in charge of keeping a running list of things that happened and be in charge of your “re-boarding”
- Put one person clearly in charge while you’re out, or tell your senior team that they’re responsible for collectively being in charge – either can work as long as you’re clear about it
- Be prepared to cancel or shift your plans if an emergency comes up before you leave
This last one is important. I’ve postponed sabbaticals twice, and while it’s been a little tumultuous both at work and at home, it’s been better than going on a sabbatical and interrupting it with work, which I’ve also done.
Speaking of which…I’m coming up on my 17th anniversary, which in our book means it’s time for another one!