I first went to Davos and then Paris.
With countless nights spent working, my excitement was at its peak as I boarded the aircraft in the Delhi winter.
I did a diligent knowledge transfer so nothing breaks in my 1 week of vacation.
Day 3- I receive midnight calls from two colleagues.
I see 2 missed calls and 11 text messages on WhatsApp in the morning. I had informed them of the time difference. They knew it was my midnight!
Day 4- I receive another text from my manager. He requests to get on a call. He needed some extra information about a client I had worked on earlier.
Day 4 evening- I spend 2 hours in front of my laptop working.
Day 6- I get another WhatsApp from my peers and managers asking me to enjoy my vacation but they need my help urgently as and when I back.
I stop responding to texts and calls from them.
As I onboard the return flight, I opt for complete silence from my side to shut myself off work for one last time.
Upon my return, the data sent by me was not used at all and I realize from my 2 hours of work wasn't also urgent at all.
I realized I cannot work in that firm anymore and fixated an end date for myself there.
In the hindsight, I am mad at myself that I decided to ruin my vacation, didn't stand up for my well-being enough, and drew clear boundaries in the initial days.
After this firm, I joined another firm.
They offered me a similar role, a notch higher level just in a different industry.
This time I stood up better for my well-being, off timings, and set no weekend calls culture.
In this firm, I again took 10 days off.
I was not reached out to by a single colleague during that time, just with an exception of a colleague who checked up on me if I was enjoying my time in Europe😃.
Last week, one of my employees at GGI requested time off.
Not only did I not reach him, but also ensured no other of my employees reach him for anything.
Work can always wait.
But nothing is worth someone's health!
--
Employees have a life.
They also need "me" time.
They are not machines.
Don't treat them like one.
If you aren't doing all of the above, you are incompetent to be a people leader.
If you are interested in learning about GGI's MBA Scholar program, you can learn here.
Author- Shatakshi Sharma, Co-founder Global Governance Initiative & GTI, Ex- BCG, Advisor; Tony Blair Institute
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