KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceWhile the Boss is Vacationing: Take Advantage

From KMPH Community Correspondent and leadership coach Louise Bauer Davoli:

It's summertime, and there is a good chance that the corner office will be empty for a week or two.  What happens when the boss goes on vacation? After you finish doing the happy dance, you may want to take advantage of the time and show your best work.

While the cat's away the mice will play.  That's the general attitude many employees have when summer vacation time rolls around for their bosses.  Employees think that their boss' vacation is an opportunity to catch up on their sleep and roll out of bed a little later than usual, take long lunches and make personal phone calls during business hours. But instead of slacking off while your boss' is enjoying some time off, try making the most of the serenity and calm that comes when he or she isn't examining your every move or hovering over your shoulder or giving you more assignments.

If you are looking for more independence and opportunities to work autonomously, now is the time to show your stuff and shine.   If you can demonstrate your ability to work independently and accomplish tasks without constant oversight from your boss, you are more likely to gain that freedom you are seeking from the micromanaging boss.  When someone isn't looking over your shoulder you are provided an opportunity to excel, gain confidence and you get steady on your feet.  We have all had those great experiences, when the day has flown by because we were turned loose to accomplish so much.

To make the most of your boss' vacation, before he or she leaves, schedule some time to meet with them and present your ideas about the items you believe need to get accomplished during their vacation.  Since you are more likely to get the daily tasks accomplished without your boss' interference, show some initiative and volunteer to take on a larger task or two.  Possibly it could be something that's been on the back burner and you haven't had much free time to get around to doing. Now is your chance to shine.  Since some bosses don't always see the big picture, don't forget to toot your own horn about your accomplishments once the boss returns from vacation.  After they return and things settle down a bit, communicate with them about what you were able to accomplish in their absence.  For example you may begin the conversation with "I would like to bring you up to speed on the tasks I committed to before you left on vacation and while you were away I accomplished A, B, and C."  If your boss is really hands-on and you are looking for some autonomy, the next step would be to gracefully ask for more independence.

Making the most of the boss' vacation:

• Schedule a meeting with your boss prior to their vacation
• Identify tasks and projects to be accomplished
• Provide an update upon their return
• Ask for more work autonomy

It is important for bosses to see that their employees are capable of taking initiative and following through with work obligations in their absence.  If you are able to make clever choices while your boss is out, this potentially could translate into less work for them once they are back from vacation.  Think ahead and identify what your boss may want or need completed before he or she returns.