Alphabet States

For many business owners, switching off can feel strangely uncomfortable.

We always feel like we’re always ‘on’.  When you run your own business or you are in senior leadership, often the buck stops with you.  And if you look after a team, then everything is heightened.

The emails never stop; the phone keeps ringing; and it feels like there is always something that we were supposed to do.

And yet, proper rest should be a luxury reserved for the few – it is one of the most important ingredients in sustainable leadership, clear decision-making, and long-term performance.

LEAVING IT ALL BEHIND

For just over two weeks this month, I took some time away from my business and made a conscious decision to properly disconnect.  I took off my emails from my phone and my iPad (so I couldn’t read them on the go), and I had my laptop only for emergencies.

My clients knew that they were in safe hands with my team – I informed them that I’d be away at least a month before I left.

So, there was no constant checking of emails; no double-checking notifications; and no ‘oh I’ll just quickly read this message’ situations.

BOSTON, USA

After a wonderful evening in the Hilton at Heathrow, my wife and I flew out to Boston in the USA. We are very grateful to have the opportunity of flying upper class with Virgin Atlantic.  The Upper Class Wing had a private VIP entrance and we went straight through to one of the world’s best lounges (which had a terrace too).

Boston is a very beautiful city, and we stayed in a wonderful hotel – the Hilton Boston Park Plaza – which is a lovely old historic hotel.  It doesn’t have the best soundproofing, although it isn’t their fault that Americans love using their car horns in the middle of the night at traffic lights!

We went to Cambridge to visit Harvard; we went to the Fenway Park baseball ground which is beautiful; and we did the famous Duck Tour which was unique.   We also visited ‘The View’ (the marketing department clearly worked hard on that title); the Cheers bar; Beacon Hill; Boston Common; and the Harbor (their spelling); before heading to the Holocaust Memorial (which was very sobering).  We then went to the Sam Adams Taproom - home to my favourite beer - and to see where he has been laid to rest.

NIAGARA FALLS

We left Boston and headed to Toronto in Canada, from which we went to The Brock Hotel in Niagara.

This was a tale of two cafes, two countries, one bridge, and a room with a view.  The hotel was incredible and our view was even better – we looked out onto Niagara Falls (checkout the photos here).  While in Niagara, we also went to a beer tasting, and saw the Falls at night all lit up.

Also in the view were two Hard Rock Cafes – each one in a different country.  I always love looking at the memorabilia in the cafes, and there was a lot of items from three major musical influences - Prince (which seemed fitting as it was the anniversary of his passing recently), U2 (I met Bono in Canada a few years ago), and Madonna (my first love).

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TORONTO, CANADA

After leaving Niagara, we had a fabulous couple of days in Toronto.  We stayed at Revery Toronto Downtown hotel, part of the Hilton’s Curio Collection. which was lovely.

We went up the CN Tower to look out across the city; and we also went to the Harbor (their spelling) and just wandered around; before ending up at Harriet’s Rooftop bar which was absolutely fabulous.

GALIANO ISLAND, CANADA

We arrived in Vancouver from Toronto and got a late ferry over to Galiano Island - one of the Southern Gulf Islands in British Columbia - where we stayed with my wife’s family in their property on the water.

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After a full-on week in Boston, Niagara, and Toronto, it is a joy to do very little.  The mobile signal is hit-and-miss on the island, but that’s not a bad thing - it is idyllic here and going ‘off-grid’ is a good thing.

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We have good food (such as the fresh crabs we collected) and good company; and we had a fabulous weekend on Galiano Island for Victoria Day (which marked the birth of Queen Victoria), which was a bank holiday there.

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It was really refreshing to simply enjoy the surroundings and take life at a slower pace.

VANCOUVER, CANADA

We got back to the mainland prior to flying home a few days later.  Back in Vancouver, we stayed with family in their apartment in Burnaby (which had a fabulous view).  We went shopping at Metrotown Mall, visited the beautiful Stanley Park, and took a trip to Costco!  We also went to BC Place - the last time we were here, we were attending the opening night of U2’s JT30 tour (celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their seminal album ‘Joshua Tree’).

Our return flight was an overnighter, so we were very happy to have a flat-bed seat, and a tail-wind to get back quicker.  And, of course, getting back to a heatwave just meant the holiday vibes are lasting a little longer.

IS EVERYTHING OKAY?

As a business owner, I always have those worries in the back of my mind. Is everything okay? Are the team okay?  Are my clients still around?  Am I missing something?

And the best bit?  Everything was absolutely fine. This is mainly down to two things.

1. MY TEAM

Firstly, the strength of the team around me.  A great business is not built around one person who is trying to do everything – it is built on trust, capability, communication, and people who can confidently hold the fort when needed.

That kind of team culture matters, and the best businesses are built on this (and, of course, as a HR consultant, I might be a little biased – but I stand by it).  

My team of Lou Roberts, Lou Lloyd-Williams, and Jessica Pilling (while Denise Wongsam was with me) managed everything perfectly.  I came back to a tidy inbox, and happy clients.

2. MY CLIENTS

The second important piece of this puzzle that deserves recognition is my client base.

Clients who respect boundaries, appreciate that people occasionally step away, and trust the process are really important. Strong professional relationships are built on mutual respect, transparency, and consistency over time.

I am very lucky and grateful to be in a position to choose to have wonderful clients – those who I enjoy working with, and where our values align.

THE HEATWAVE

In a small stroke of good fortune, returning to the UK during a heatwave has softened the landing beautifully.

The suitcase may be unpacked, but the holiday vibes are sticking around for a few days.  This is a perfect reminder that recuperation does not need to end the second you walk back through the office door.

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is get some rest and recuperation – and our holiday has set me up well for the next few months.  Sustainable success is not built by people who never stop – it is built by people who know when they should.

If you need any HR support for your business to ensure it’s long term, sustainable success, please do not hesitate to get in touch to see how me and my team here at AJB Consultancy Services can support you.

ALPHABET STATES

This blog is titled Alphabet States as it’s a play on words, based upon the music of the legendary Prince.  Every time my wife and I go away for our big annual holiday, I give it a name (so I can easily refer back to it).  Previous holidays have been called Take Me With You, Gett Off, and When Doves Fly.

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