Take a step back - you'll come back stronger at your job

Sunrise at the Ribblehead Viaduct in Yorkshire

Right now many sales and commercial teams are chasing down their end of year target. It is frenetic, it is fun and it is challenging. It can also feel like a weight on your shoulders, where there is no time to do anything but work.

Over the last 15 years I have had the privilege of leading several different sales teams across three different sectors.

One thing has been true in every one of those: when driving hard for a number people need to let off steam.

It is particularly true at this time of year when summer holidays are a distant memory, you are 3/4 of the way through the year and the next 3 months look long!

Whether you do it together in a social environment, or people take an extra day to make a long weekend.....giving people the space to step away from the pressure for a moment means they come back with clearer thinking, better prioritisation, and renewed energy to run up the hill!

This weekend, just before sunrise I'll be setting off under the Ribblehead Viaduct in Yorkshire to hike up 3 mountains and ~24 miles in less than 12 hours (hopefully). I might just get the sunrise in the picture above - though the forecast right now is for rain!

On Monday I'll be physically tired (in fairness it is an open question of whether I will be able to walk!), but I'll be refreshed for taking the break and time well spent with friends.

What are you and/or your team doing to let off a little steam in the pressure cooker of Q4? It might just make the difference.

(Thanks to Joanne Oakes & Chris Ashton for being game enough to agree to come with me!)