Embrace the summer: Why is important for leaders to take a break?

Summer is in full swing, and the main holiday season is almost here. While the sun may not be shining quite as brightly as we’d hoped, the days are long. It's the perfect time to hit pause and take a breather. A holiday - or just a short break - isn't just good for you, it's essential for your leadership mojo.?

A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of modern leaders. You deserve a break!

Why?

1.???????? Avoids burnout: Working continuously without adequate rest, can lead to burnout. It can diminish your ability to lead effectively. Taking a break helps you to recharge and reset both mentally and emotionally, so you can come back with renewed energy and a clearer perspective.?

2.???????? Boosts creativity: Sometimes the best ideas come when you're not thinking about work at all. Whether you’re travelling, walking, or just chilling with a good book, these moments of diversion and space can spark some awesome new ideas and innovative solutions for when you get back to your desk.

3.???????? Lead by example: Your team looks to you for cues. When you prioritise taking a break, you show them how important a good work-life balance is. You encourage them to take care of their wellbeing, too. A fresh team is a productive team!

4.???????? Build Resilience: Regular breaks help you to clear your mind, recharge and bounce back stronger. Having time away gives you space to process your experiences, destress and come back re-energised. You will then be more effective and resilient when it comes to navigating challenges, setting new goals and supporting your team.

Once you’ve put some distance between you and your laptop, you might want to use some of the time away to think about your leadership journey. Do you need to set some fresh goals? Do you have all the tools you need to be the best possible manager??

Distance often brings clarity, and a bit of reflection can provide inspiration for when you return. Perhaps Crack On can help you turn those new ideas into action? Why not connect with us today for an informal chat to see how we can help?

Allow yourself to enjoy your summer break – it’s essential for your wellbeing and that of your team!

The second part of the interview with the incredibly brave and courageous Georgina Verity Jones is now live.

Grief can be a difficult subject to tackle, but it’s one that we unfortunately all experience at some point. If you or your team have suffered loss, this is a must listen !

Georgina Jones, founder of Turn Lights On and host of the Love Shortage podcast has been so incredibly generous with her honest contributions, insights and time that we’ve been able to put together a deeply personal two-part series.

We are truly privileged to have Georgina share her personal journey ignited by her profound grief over losing her young son, Osian. Her successful career helped her to hone her leadership and communications skills. However, it is her attitude towards handling grief that truly defines her mission. ?

She has managed to turn her pain into a force of positivity and now seeks to inspire others to find strength in their darkest moments. She has figured out what an impact truly understanding love – and its transformative power – can have on everyone’s lives.

Her attitude towards her loss, and her determination to find meaning and positivity in her pain is truly inspirational. She is keen to share her precious insights so we can be better prepared and improve our understanding of love…and loss. ?

In today’s world, we can all benefit from loving ourselves a bit more. Georgina shares her thoughts on how to start on that journey.

Join us for a podcast series that promises not just personal perceptions but a profound exploration of resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

Thank you again to Metroguard Security for the sponsorship!

?Are you a radically honest leader?

This month, Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On, had the privilege of training leaders from Muntons Plc on the power of radical honesty combined with genuine care. It was inspiring to see their commitment to fostering a culture of trust and support within their teams.

What does Radical Honesty mean?

Radical honesty is all about being real and open in your communication with the people around you. It means sharing your true thoughts, feelings, and actions, even if it’s somewhat uncomfortable or means admitting mistakes.

Radical honesty takes guts and a willingness to be vulnerable. This is something not every leader is ready for. But the benefits can be life changing. By being honest with ourselves and others, we can create deeper and more meaningful relationships, build trust and integrity, and reduce stress and anxiety.?

In today’s fast-paced work environment, radical honesty is a game-changer. Here’s why:

·?????? Builds trust: When your team sees you as an authentic leader and everyone knows they’ll get honest feedback, they feel more secure and valued.

·?????? Improves communication: Clear and open conversations reduce misunderstandings and foster a collaborative culture where productivity strives.

·?????? Promotes growth: Even tough feedback helps us all to grow and improve – as long as it is constructive.

But remember, radical honesty should go hand-in-hand with genuine care for your team. Show that you care about their well-being and growth. Here’s how:

Active listening: Really listen to their concerns and ideas – and take action.?

Support and encouragement: Be there for them, especially during tough times.

Recognition and appreciation: Regularly show your appreciation of their hard work and achievements in a way that is appropriate to the team and the individual.

It was amazing to see leaders at Muntons Plc put the concept into action, and commit to building a culture of trust and support.

When you mix radical honesty with genuine care, it creates a powerful combination that can transform team dynamics, creating a more productive and happier work environment.

Why not connect withJon Saunders , Founder of Crack On, today to explore how radical honesty could help your team to know that you not only value their contributions but also care deeply about their success and wellbeing? After all, who wouldn’t want a happier, more productive team?

ENDURE24 Leeds – 24-hour trail running event

What an amazing team effort in aid of the Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away . ???Our very own Jon Saunders was privileged to join the throng of 2000 people in Leeds raising money for their chosen charities.

He was proud to be part of the incredible team at Avani Solutions . They took on the challenge of running 5-mile loops with 354ft of elevation per loop at the Bramham Park Estate for 24 HOURS straight! They totally smashed it and managed an amazing 27 loops totalling 135 miles!

The loop at 2am in the rain was tough, but when Jon got on the course and started running, he was propelled by the encouragement of the people around the course. After the first mile, he managed to forget about all the rain and discomfort.

That’s what inspiration feels like. Definitely a winning team!

Well done to everyone involved.?

Crack On can help you create inspirational leaders and winning teams. Contact us for an informal discovery chat.

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Crack On is practicing what we preach, and we will also take a break at the end of July.

Remember, summer can offer a unique opportunity for leaders and managers to take a step back and recharge. So go ahead, take that well-deserved break, soak up the sunshine, broaden your horizons, and come back ready to lead with renewed energy and fresh ideas.

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Crack On and enjoy your summer!!

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