Burnout of leaders is a very real threat to organizations. A Gallop study of 7500 full-time employees in July 2018 revealed that 23% of employees reported feeling burned out at work very often or always. There was also an additional 44% that reported feeling burned out sometimes. This can have a major impact financially on the organization but also on the culture and forward movement of the organization.
I recently have seen this reality in my own connection with leaders in which several leaders have talked to me about burnout. Interestingly, a common solution that many of them ask my input on is whether or not they should take a sabbatical. They wonder about the value of a sabbatical. Here are some benefits:
Challenges Our Insecurities
Often leaders feel that they can’t leave an organization for an extended time for fear that the it will fall apart without them. This is an insecurity that all leaders need to face. It is unhealthy for the leader personally and for the organization. An organization will never have lasting impact and a legacy if it is dependent on one person. The mission must be owned and secure in the leadership of many in order to create sustainability.
Identifies Succession Need and Planning
When a leader faces the reality of an organization needing to be independent of them, this motivates the pursuit of succession planning. For a leader to walk away for a time, there must be capable leaders and teams to move forward in his/ her absence. This is a good thing. It helps to identify who the next leaders are, what are their strengths and the need to develop them. It also makes an organization grapple and be ready for emergency succession planning.
Renewal and Re-calibration
Leaders’ schedules are often very full. Some struggle to be intentional to make time just for organizational planning. However, another important area where leaders need time is for their personal renewal. This is a time for them to step back and reflect on who they are and are they on the right track. Sometimes when too busy, we can let the demands of circumstances drive our time, instead of making decisions from a centered place of intentional choice based on clarity of purpose. When the leader is off center, it can cause a cascading effect of the whole organization becoming off center.
Growth of Personal Leadership Development
As an organization grows, it also requires the leader to grow in his or her leadership. One of the biggest obstacles to organizational growth can be when a leader is holding it back because he or she is not personally growing to a new level of leadership. As an organization grows, it requires different leadership skills to take it to the next level. If a leader is still leading from what made them successful at one level, those leadership skills can be a hindrance and keep the organization from moving forward. A sabbatical can be a great time for a leader to examine and put time into personal leadership development. To sum it up, what got you here, won’t get you there.
Health
A key component of personal health is having times of rest. Sabbaticals give space for a leader to proactively engage in self-care and rest. Research has shown that vacation time makes us more productive. Sabbaticals are an investment into the long-term productivity and the holistic health of a leader.
Creates a Culture of Reflection and Continuous Learning
I have witnessed the positive impact on the culture of organizations through practices of sabbaticals. When a leader takes a well-planned sabbatical supported by the leadership of the organization, it has ripple effects throughout the organization. Staff notice the renewal and strengthening of the leader and the positive impact it has for them. Because of the model of the leader, staff become more aware and conscious of their own development. It breathes life into the organization, promoting a culture of reflection and continuous learning.
So, are you feeling burned out? Are you overlooking how your leadership can help or harm your organization? Taking care of your leadership is a benefit to you and the organization.