Back from a vacation, Relax!

Earlier we discussed about how to plan a vacation when you are working in a corporate. And, it remains one of the most popular posts here. Google Analytics informs me that some people also reached that post while googling  “How to kill your Boss and other pursuit of happiness in office” . It's perfectly normal.

I noticed that while we have become smart enough to plan holidays, we still don’t know how to behave in office after a vacation.  “Darling, you know that we are just back after a 3 day holiday, so I need to catch-up with work. Shall be coming late for the next 3-4 days, please don't disturb now” Ramesh told his wife who called while he was in a meeting. That’s why Ramesh is still Senior Manager - Accounts. 

The art of successful vacationing doesn't end with a vacation, it begins from there.

Other day, I met Vencut ( Senior Vice President, Strategy) who was just back from his short vacation. Guy was bubbling with energy in the meeting room. Just before the very important fire-fighting meeting begun, one of his Associate Managers asked “Boss, how was your trip?”. And ,he began. “This is one of the best short trips I ever had. Simi just loved it. Drive on the Western Ghats is amazing, any of you guys tried that Hill Descent Control? I think this time BMW got it right. Prabal fort is a must visit man. I just relaxed, switched-off my blackberry and finished reading “LEAN IN, though I don’t necessarily agree with Sheryl Sandberg. Only thing I missed was my guitar classes, must leave office early for few weeks to catch-up on those ” .For the next 23 minutes, Vencut was just on and on about his trip.

If you notice carefully there are lessons here which a typical middle-management guy needs to learn from Vencut.

Never ever feel ashamed of taking leave and going for a vacation. Moment you start your after-vacation day by saying that “Got too many emails to clear, may get late in office”, you are bound to stick to that Assistant Vice President role, for ever. Grow Up. 

What Vencut called a ‘short’ vacation was actually a 7 day leave. And his passionate description of his rather simple holiday amused every one. This is what you need to learn.

Did you notice that he said “Simi” twice, without caring if people knew that his wife’s name is Simi. Who cares if you don’t know?  That’s how senior management and rich people talk about their family members ( and even their pet dogs ).

Not only did he tell that he drives a BMW, but also the book which he’s reading. This is how you inspire people. Next day, 5 of his team members were seen ordering “Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg” from flipkart. And some were even searching for what a Hill Descent Control means.

In Summary:
Senior Management : After coming back from the vacation, for next 2-3 days they don't leave any opportunity to passionately describe the awesomeness of their vacation.

Middle Management : For the full week they keep cribbing that they had to check emails, attend calls from Boss, do con-calls even when they were on vacation.

Junior Management : They begin their day with feeling guilty that they went for vacation and work late hours to compensate for the loss.

So, next time you are back from a vacation, you know how to behave.

PS: Click here to read the post I referred in the beginning .

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