Chief executive officers are the leaders at their companies making weighty decisions daily that impact the trajectory of success of their business, their employees, and ultimately their brand and reputation.
Being at the helm in such positions as a CEO can take a toll on these hardworking businessmen and women who might not always be apt to take a break and walk away from the endless string of phone calls, emails, and other messages.
Yet, many CEOs are not taking the much-needed vacations to unplug.
Purely HR reported that annually, over 50 percent of Americans leave their vacation time untouched – that equated to 705 million days just in 2017; up from 662 million unused vacation days in 2016.
The article added that CFOs, CEOs, and other C-Suite executives are among the worst offenders who “work as necessary” and stay on the clock, so to speak 24/7 — often leaving those vacation days unused.
From feeling burned out to thinking the company might collapse when away, many opt to not take a vacation, or request time off for a staycation.
Locally, however, one CEO is upping his commitment to a little R&R – rest and relaxation, especially as the pandemic wears on, along with ever-increasing business prioritizations.
Lloyd L. Banks, III, CEO & principal at Southfield-based Banks & Company, a full-service management consultancy firm, told the Michigan Chronicle that he is a “huge proponent” of mental breaks as a small business owner and CEO.
“I meditate for 15 to 30 minutes every morning after my morning walk,” Banks said, adding that he does spa treatments once a month to include a facial, massage, and mani and pedi. “The daily meditation and monthly spa treatment keep me sane and have the ability to lead my team and grow my company.”
Banks added that before COVID-19, he discovered that his team works more effectively at home, and they transitioned to working from home and continue to do so even today.
He added that as a leader at the company, it is important to take a break because one could be inundated with “so many challenges” from client management, to managing the company finances, and promoting business growth– not to mention endless meetings.
In Banks’ time off, he also learned to toggle between business and fun.
“I started doing weekly happy hours at different locations throughout the region and inviting individuals that I want to hang out with,” Banks said. “We can still talk business or any other subject and still be relaxed. I play golf on the weekends, make sure there is wifey time and actually go on dates on the weekend, and make sure I am in church on Sundays.”
He also said that he thinks about work all the time but ensures there is balance in all he does.
“At some point, you learn as a CEO to take a day off, for me, it’s every other week and go away one weekend a month,” he said, adding that he is conscious of his staff’s time, too. “I make an effort not to email my team after 5 pm on Friday until 6 am on Monday. It helps all of us try to enjoy our weekends.”
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