The big unwind
It’s pretty common knowledge that our Prime Minister and US President Barack Obama escape each year to Hawaii. Tourism NZ chair Kerry Prendergast periodically walks for many hundreds of kilometres on her annual getaway. Our former Prime Minister and now contender for the top job at the United Nations, Helen Clark, famously went cross country skiing and mountaineering in exotic locations while she was Prime Minister.
And there is plenty of international research that backs up the need to take some time away from the daily stresses of both work and life.
A study conducted by Nielsen on behalf of Diamond Resorts International, a global leader in the hospitality and holiday ownership industries, found that people who commit to taking a break on a regular basis are generally happier, healthier and have better relationships than those who don’t.
The survey compared the happiness, health, vitality, relationships and job satisfaction of two groups of survey respondents: those who holiday at least once a year, and those who don’t. Of the more than 2,000 respondents, a significant majority (at least 76 percent) of annual holiday makers were more satisfied and happy with their lives overall, compared to people who don’t take a holiday.
So what do New Zealand leaders do when they take a break? Management asked a selection of CEOs and industry leaders how they unwind, regroup and give themselves permission to relax.
Strategic Pay’s CEO John McGill opts for his bach in Turangi or London and generally likes an active holiday. While his holidays in general are not too challenging normally he does like a big challenge every two to three years.
McGill says that lately he has been to Qingdao in China for a family wedding. “China is amazing, its history, people, growth”. He only “in part” switches off his devices while on holiday.
And his best tip for senior leaders who want to wind down after a long year? “You have to work at it, I find the first few days are hard as you suffer withdrawal.”
McGill says taking that hard earned break is really about forcing yourself to let go “as you can get this really annoying idea in your head that you are indispensable.
“I have been in danger of ruining a number of holidays by not being there and giving the time to family and friends. If you can’t get away from the work side, which I have learnt you need to, you are not doing your day job very well and you will certainly be messing up what are supposed to be critical relationships in your life. Get that life as they say.”
Grant Rosewarne says in his household, holiday destinations can be the subject of debate. The New Zealand King Salmon CEO’s wife Julie tends to decide where the family will holiday and usually it’s a sunny destination with a sandy beach.
This winter they’ve enjoyed a week’s holiday in Samoa for example. But when Rosewarne does choose a holiday, it tends to be a more adventurous destination such as the Galapagos Islands, Patagonia or Mt Kilimanjaro “and if there’s a challenge involved such as climbing a mountain,
that’s an added bonus,” he says.
For Fiona Hewitt, the CEO at the Institute of Management New Zealand, her destination of choice is somewhere warm. “Throw in a good book, a beach, water – then I am pretty much happy.”
She opts for a relaxing holiday over an active one “I feel like my normal world is very active.” And she is not a great one for a challenging holiday as long as she can go for a good walk, a paddle board “but nothing generally difficult”.
Recently Hewitt has been to Phuket in Thailand, and she says it was fantastic to have ten days of complete unwind;
“One of the most memorable breaks in the last couple of years was to a retreat – no coffee, no dairy, no wheat, no booze for seven days and no devices. This with lots of exercise and meditation… it was an incredible experience for the mind, body and soul.”
So does she switch off her devices while away? “I try to, as much as I can but I understand that it isn’t always practical or appropriate. I have a great team at IMNZ and so I am confident that I have people in place who can make robust decisions without me necessarily being involved. With the Christmas holiday season so much of New Zealand comes to a grinding halt so at that time of year it is certainly easier to have the devices not quite at arms-length.”
And her best tips for senior leaders who want to wind down after a long year? “Pause, unwind, reflect and if possible – unplug. We all need downtime and the more challenging the roles; the more pressure that goes with it. So it is important to take time away from the desk, responsibility and recharge.”
For Simon Arcus, the CEO at the Institute of Directors, his destination of choice tends to be the United States.
“My in-laws live on the East Coast of the United States which means we often travel there at holiday time. Winding down is about friends, food and relaxing. My favourite place to visit is Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love the desert.”
He likes a good mix of active and relaxing on his break and prefers them to be indulgent. Arcus had a weekend in Melbourne recently and says the city and its amazing cafes were great and they would like to explore more of Victoria itself.
As to whether he switches off his devices while are on holiday – he does, but confesses to periodic check-ins with the team.
Arcus’s best tip for senior leaders who want to wind down after a long year? “From staycation to world trip, take a moment each rest day to consciously give thanks and appreciate that time for self.”
Alec Gardner, the general manager of advanced analytics at ANZ Teradata, is heading to Queenstown in September for a family skiing trip.
“We’ve got three children and I find skiing to be a perfect holiday for a crazy young family. We ski all day and in the afternoon and evening everyone is exhausted and happy to spend quality time together. I really enjoy these trips for that reason.“
Aside from the skiing, he’s also looking forward to the famous burgers in Queenstown.
“Pause, unwind, reflect and if possible – unplug. We all need downtime and the more challenging the roles; the more pressure that goes with it. So it is important to take time away from the desk, responsibility and recharge.”