With the summer in full swing, ‘tis the season of out of office messages. We all can relate to the anxiety of returning to overflowing inboxes, urgent messages needing your immediate attention and catching up on project statuses and meetings you missed. It can take a few days to climb out of the post-vacation hole! Knowing work is building up while you’re out of the office can make it hard to really disconnect and enjoy your vacation. But never fear, we have some tips to help set you and your team up for success. Get ready to confidently disconnect and feel rested, recharged and ready to return with ease as if you’ve never left.
1. Make a plan with your team
Before you jet off, let your team know about when you’ll be out of the office. Even if your plans aren’t solidified, put a tentative block on your calendar and let your team know once you finalize your plans. Being proactive helps prepare your team to manage any coverage in your absence and helps everyone feel set up for success while you’re gone.
2. Give a heads up to your partners and stakeholders
Don’t leave anyone hanging. If partners or stakeholders are counting on you, let them know you’ll be out and designate a point of contact for any work that will be done while you’re gone. This can help the wider team plan and prioritize, and more importantly, it can ease your return.
3. Pass the baton
Before you pack your bags, delegate responsibilities. Identify tasks that need to keep moving while you're gone, and assign them to capable hands. Trust in your team's skills and know that they're ready to step up. It’s a great way to keep the momentum going during your absence.
4. Plan like a pro
Piggy-backing off of tip three, consider creating a planning document for your team. Think of it as your out of office handbook that includes all the necessary details needed to keep your work going while you rest and recharge.
5. Set clear accessibility boundaries
Be clear about your availability during your vacation. Will you be checking emails sporadically, or are you going full digital detox? Are you available for urgent requests? What qualifies as urgent? Letting your team know what to expect ensures that they’re not left wondering if and how they should contact you.
6. Review the gameplan
Schedule check-ins with team members for both before and after your vacation to keep things on track. Pre-vacation chats help tie up loose ends and clarify expectations and responsibilities, while post-vacation catch-ups allows you to get back in the loop seamlessly.
7. Unplug and unwind
When it’s finally time to embark on your getaway, be intentional when disconnecting. It's your time to recharge, so be present in the moment and let yourself enjoy it to the fullest. Trust that you’ve set your team up for success and give yourself the gift of being present on your holiday.
8. Lead by example
Want to inspire your team? Show them how to OOO like a pro by practicing these steps yourself. Communicate expectations clearly and actively stick to the boundaries you set. If you’ve stated you won’t be reachable, don’t respond to messages. This will encourage cultivate a culture that respects out of office boundaries and allows you to really disconnect and enjoy time off.
