Some of my most strategic business decisions have been made during short walks to Starbucks.
Getting away from work should not be about escape - it should be about re-creation. (If it is about escape - you may need to change jobs). Let's face it - after sitting in front of a terminal for 6 hours, or in a meeting for 3, or a combination of the above - we all need a change of scenery. For our sanity. For a different point of view. Just to shake things up a little.
Some of my most creative, professional ideas happen when I'm not at my desk.
Getting away from an office that may resemble Grand Central Station. . .or a keyboard and mouse that begin to feel like physical extensions of our arms. . .allows us a different perspective. All of a sudden we are no longer looking at a problem through the same Word document. . .or seeing a team member in the familiar stance of standing in our doorway with 37 pounds of reports. That change of perspective is good for us, and. . .
Some of the best work that is done by our team members may well happen when we are away from the office. . .
Shaking things up by not being in the office is not only good for us. . . but it is good for the rest of the team. Much as we may need a respite from them, they need a respite from us. . .even in the best of working conditions. When we step away from our desks, the rest of the team needs to step up. They are making decisions that are new territory for them. They are working with leaders that they may not get to routinely work with. Our absence gives the team new experience and a new perspective on the job that we do - and if done right, mutual respect should flourish.
Absolutely leaders should be present at work. . .leaders should also recognize the value of stepping away from work - if only for a few minutes. . . .or even a few weeks. It changes perspective and changes dynamics. It allows us all to do better work.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
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