The Importance of a Resilient Business
Life has a funny way of throwing us unexpected challenges just when we think we have everything under control. Recently, my entire family was hit hard by COVID. It was a tough time, but it drove home the importance of having a business that can run smoothly, even when you're not around.
Thankfully, I had systems in place that allowed me to focus on what truly mattered. However, this experience brought back some painful memories of working for companies where taking time off seemed impossible. The anxiety and guilt of leaving a sick child at home with a sitter while I went into the office for a meeting was overwhelming. I'll never forget a leader in the company telling me, "This is why my wife doesn’t work and is a stay-at-home mom," when I needed time off. Shocking, right?
Unfortunately, this type of behavior still happens in some 'progressive' companies—the ones that preach work-life balance but don't always practice it. Not everyone is a parent, but at some point, most people will need to take time off to care for someone important. And nothing is more important than showing up for the people we care about.
Work culture is like a living organism; it needs continuous attention and nurturing to stay healthy. HR policies around time off can be complex. While most founders have good intentions for their team, the drive to build a business can overshadow the human side.
Take a moment to review your business operations. Do you have systems in place that would enable your business to operate effectively without you or key team members for a day, a week, or even a month?
If not, it's essential to start thinking about establishing processes and training your team to ensure that the business can continue to thrive even in your absence. Your health and well-being, as well as that of your employees, should never be compromised for the sake of work.
A truly efficient business should not rely on just one person. Having solid systems and a well-trained team ensures that operations continue smoothly, even when key individuals are absent.
If you had to take a week out of the office with no notice, would your business thrive or just survive?
Stay healthy. 😶
