Now that you understand the value of trying the Summer Leadership Test created by myself and Margaret Wilson of Tandem Partners, it's time to put it into action.
Here are three concrete things you can do to identify leadership in your organization, deliver for customers and really disconnect from work while you're away.
Instead of simply assigning someone to "keep the lights on," intentionally give high-potential employees temporary decision-making authority. Define the decisions they own, provide clear guardrails and debrief afterward to identify strengths, coaching needs and future leadership opportunities.
After each leader returns, conduct a brief review of what slowed down, what required escalation and what continued without interruption. Use those insights to clarify decision rights, document key processes and push routine decisions to the lowest appropriate level so work doesn't depend on one person.
Treat every planned absence as a test of your operating model. Track whether customer commitments were met, projects advanced and communication remained effective. If the organization struggles without a leader present, focus on strengthening systems, cross-training employees and building confidence so the business becomes more agile and less dependent on any one individual.
Looking at the capacity of organizational leadership is key to the work Quinn Strategy Group and Tandem Partners do with our clients around their readiness for change and growth.Â
