A recent Wall Street Journal article on executives taking (or NOT taking) vacation caught my eye and got me thinking: why do so many CEOs think they don’t have time to step away and recharge? I’m sure you’re all familiar with some of the common explanations: too busy, too important, business is too unpredictable…or it’s just too chaotic to step away!
It’s important to remember though: one key attribute all successful CEOs share is their ability to hire great people and build clarity, consistency and competency throughout the organization. In other words, great CEOs cultivate a culture where employees are clear about the company’s vision, understand their role in moving the company forward and are encouraged to “step up.”
Delegate and Elevate
The ability to let go at the right time is key to helping your organization grow and reach its full potential. Our EOS process provides a simple, but effective tool for top executives called Delegate and Elevate. Here’s how it works:
First, take the time to list everything you do at your job in one of four quadrants on a sheet of paper:
| Love to do/Great at it | Like to do/Good at it |
| Don’t like to do/Good at it | Don’t like to do/Not good at it |
Notice all your tasks in the bottom two quadrants? Those are the ones you should plan to delegate (whether you’re taking a vacation or not).
Many CEOs and top execs see delegation as a luxury or feel it’s a selfish act. But the fact is, someone else is better at those activities than you and probably enjoys doing them a heck of lot more! Additionally, delegation enables you to rise to your “unique ability” and ultimately contribute much more to your organization.
The takeaway? Hire great people and relentlessly delegate to help your organization reach its full potential. Then take some time away. Don’t worry — your team will have you covered while you’re away… and you can have some fun!
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