Team Dynamics on Vacation

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” ~ Mother Teresa

Did you take your team on vacation with you? Did they go with you on your hike? Were they floating on the lazy river next to you? No?

Time Off

If your team was negatively affected by your absence, you might be responsible for letting your team down.

Don’t take this the wrong way.

You should be able to leave work for a while without work piling up like garbage during a sanitation strike!

You will, however, need to make sure your team is prepared for your absence.

High Performing Teams

High performing teams ensure no one is irreplaceable, cross-training each other as opportunities present themselves. Or they create the opportunity by setting aside time.

When someone is on an extended absence, teammates step-up and handle tasks that cannot wait.

For important, time-sensitive tasks to get done while you are gone … your teammates will need to have the capability, confidence, and capacity to complete the tasks.

Capability

Do you need to cross-train your teammates?

Some tasks may be self-explanatory to you, but are they for others? The only way to find out is to work together to find out.

If someone is “hit by a bus”, your team should be able to keep moving forward.

Make sure everyone has a backup.

Confidence

Do your teammates have confidence they can complete a task?

Confidence normally means having done a task before, or at least being familiar with all the aspects of a task.

Practice tasks together. Let the person learning “drive”.

Or it’s possible a teammate is capable but literally lacks confidence. If this is the case, tell them you have confidence in them. People do not read minds.

Capacity

Perhaps your team is over worked?

Team depth must include capacity to absorb workload changes.

Automation

Staffing may not be something you can change, but can you automate anything?

Tasks that are automated won’t go waiting while you are gone.

Please and Thank-you

Do teammates know they have your approval to help?

Politely ask for help while you are out. Remember, say please and thank-you.

Happy Vacation!