Handover (and actually have a holiday)
One of the biggest reasons hospitality leaders stay connected to work when they're on holiday isn't because they don't trust their team. It's because they're carrying work that nobody else has properly picked up. So they keep checking emails, answering messages and solving problems from a sun lounger.
A better handover creates a better holiday and here’s some ideas on how to go about it.
4 weeks before you leave
Plan ahead.
What needs to be completed before you go?
What decisions might need to be made while you're away?
Who will be your backup for each area?
Speak to those people early so there are no surprises. They don’t need all the detail yet just a heads up.
2 weeks before you leave
Document everything.
Be clear on:
What needs covering
Who is responsible
When it needs to happen
What good looks like
Write it down. Give people all the info they need. Start copying them into relevant emails, meetings and conversations so they're already involved before you leave.
1 week before you leave
Meet 1-to-1 with your backups.
Go through the handover document together. Answer questions. The better informed they are the more you can go away and relax. Then send a follow-up email so everything is in one place.
1 day before you leave
Set a clear out-of-office message.
Include:
The dates you're away (including your return date)
Who your backup is for each area
How people can contact them
Then leave!
Getting this organised takes time up front, but it's one of the highest-return investments you can make before a holiday. Because if you want your team to take ownership while you're away, you need to give them everything they need to succeed. The quality of your break is often determined by the quality of your handover.
