Hello from Aotearoa
As you read this, I will be in New Zealand with my family, enjoying the first week of my second Help Scout sabbatical. Every four years, each team member is entitled to a paid month off work, and some bonus cash to help them enjoy it.
Our sabbatical program grew out of the experience CEO Nick Francis had on his own sabbatical, a few years back, and represents a commitment to giving people the space to get out of the daily grind, refresh themselves, and think through their personal path. I know from my first experience that it can be truly impactful.
So I’ll be gone for a few weeks, but while I am away, you’ll be in safe hands. I’ve asked three of my colleagues to step in and share some thoughts with you in the newsletter this month. You’ll hear from:
All three are thoughtful, smart individuals who I know will have something useful to say, and I look forward to reading their editions.
I appreciate that a full month off is not an option open to a lot of people reading this email; it remains an uncommon and valuable benefit even inside our (somewhat precarious) tech bubble. It does mean a lot to me and I will endeavor to make the most of it by not constantly thinking about customer service during every online and offline transaction I make. I expect this to be difficult.
Even if a month is not viable for you, could you carve out a couple of days to get out of your normal role? A day without Slack or email or meetings? A day spent sitting and thinking outside your normal work environment?
When I’m feeling stuck, I sometimes will get on a train and travel down the coast. Just me, writing on my laptop, and 100 excitable pensioners traveling on their gold opal cards for a lovely low-cost day out.
Sure, it’s not New Zealand, but that shift in environment can shake me out of a rut. Different inputs create different outputs. Is there some way to change your own inputs, just for a while? To reduce the risk of burnout, help you plan your career, or just to refill your empathy tank?
I’ll be back on deck with the last newsletter in October. See you then!
P.S. There's a new episode of The Supportive Podcast out now, about how to make space to get off the tools and start leading your team. Have a listen!
