“Out of Office”: Why Smart Leaders Vacation

Let’s get one thing straight: taking a break doesn’t mean you’ve broken stride. In fact, stepping away might be the smartest move you make all quarter.

As strategy consultants, policymakers, and high-octane professionals, we’re trained to operate at full throttle. Meetings, metrics, memos—rinse and repeat. But the truth is, constant productivity isn’t the same as sustainable progress. Eventually, even the sharpest minds start spinning their wheels if they never come up for air.

As author and educator Joyce Sunada put it:

“If you don’t take time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness.”

Vacation Is a Power Move

Let’s reframe the narrative: Vacation is not a luxury. It’s fuel.

Research backs this up. A 2019 study from the American Psychological Association found that time away from work improves productivity, reduces burnout, and replenishes cognitive resources necessary for complex decision-making. Translation? Your brain needs the beach.

And let’s not ignore the emotional ROI. Whether it’s watching your kid chase waves, hiking somewhere with spotty cell service, or just sitting still long enough to hear your own thoughts—those moments refill the tank in ways no to-do list ever could.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes—including you.” — Anne Lamott

Big Ideas Don’t Come From Burnout

Ever notice how your best ideas don’t show up when you're staring at a spreadsheet? They strike in the shower, in a hammock, or mid-conversation over ice cream.

There’s a reason for that. Our brains solve complex problems best when we aren’t hyper-focused on them. That space—that mental whiteboard—only becomes available when we step away.

The next innovative campaign or clever workaround for a bureaucratic bottleneck? It's probably sitting in your subconscious, just waiting for a chance to breathe.

Even Congress Recesses (Just Saying)

If the U.S. Congress—arguably the most famously gridlocked body in the country—can schedule recess, then so can you. And unlike them, you won’t be making headlines for doing it.

Being intentional about rest is a leadership trait, not a liability. Modeling balance sets the tone for your team and keeps your strategic edge sharp.

Here’s Your Permission Slip

If you need someone to give you permission to pause, let this be it. Schedule the time. Turn on the out-of-office. Trust your systems. And remember: stepping away doesn’t mean letting go of your goals—it means protecting your ability to reach them.

The next-level solution, the breakthrough message, the brilliant pivot? They might just be waiting for you… poolside.

TL;DR?

Be as serious about your rest as you are about your results. The world doesn’t need a burned-out genius. It needs a well-rested one with vision.

Now go refill your cup—before it runs dry.