It's the same every year: the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and suddenly half of your team is away. Managing a team is a difficult job year-round, but with some members absent, your job gets that much harder. We get it - which is why Piper have created this 5 step ‘how-to’ guide aimed at helping you survive, and maybe even enjoy, your holiday.
Tip one: Plan, plan, and plan some more
As outlined in the introduction, while summer may be stressful, it's not exactly a surprise. It happens at the same time every year. So, use the spring months to prepare for it. Discuss annual leave expectations with your employees and if there is any flexibility around them. Ask your team to talk to one another about their plans, especially if a handover is involved, and encourage people to schedule their annual leave as early as possible. Give yourself as much time as possible to prepare to run a slim-line, efficient team. And, as a reminder, your team will be more inclined to travel in the coming years. Making up for “lost time” during the pandemic, people are keen to enjoy their freedom - making it a great time to test run these tips.
Tip two: plan even more (customer care edition)
With a smaller team, your customer care practices will inevitably change - but that doesn't necessarily have to be for the worst. First, ensure that your team can identify and act upon high priority requests. Of course, the goal will be to resolve all client concerns, however, with a smaller team, it's easier to focus on the wrong tasks and let important clients fall through the cracks. Whether it's through a powerpoint presentation, a written document or ‘in the moment’ training, ensure that employees can prioritise the correct tasks.
Tip three: over communicate
Being a strong communicator is the single most important part of being a good manager. And so, it's no surprise that it's part of this list. Summer holidays are likely to mean handovers and new responsibility; it's essential that the team understands what is expected of them. Outline a clear handover protocol and draft a handover document template. Check in before and after the handovers to ensure everyone has the information they need to succeed. Over communication will set the foundation for a successful summer.
Tip four: take care of the troops at home
Running a smaller team means that almost everyone is more stressed. The workload is the same but with fewer people, and often even fewer suitably skilled people, to complete it. On top of that, your employees will want to be outside enjoying their summer too. And so, take this time to give your team a little more TLC. Whether it's finishing earlier to go to the pub, introducing a half day on Fridays or simply checking in to ensure staff are not overworked, preventing burnout is essential.
Tip five: TAKE A BREAK
It’s your summer too and you’re going to serve no one by being burnt out. It may be unthinkable at first, but resting will make you a better manager. And so, set aside some time to plan your own trip, turn off your phone while you’re away and truly use this time to recuperate. If you need more convincing, use this time to find a succession plan. There will always come about a time where you can’t act as manager, whether through illness, holiday, or promotion. Use this time to better understand the dynamics of your team and identify who has the skills to potentially replace you one day
