Why Taking a Day Off Is the Best Thing a Leader Can Do
- Dr. Cristi Haygood
- May 29
- 4 min read
Updated: May 30
Spoiler Alert: If you’re sick or burned out, the most productive thing you can do is stay home.
Real talk…we’ve all been there before. Feeling like we’re too busy to be sick. Too much to do to use our PTO. Anxious as hell to take a few days for ourselves, without our devices, because we’ve told ourselves that things will fall apart while we’re away. For many high-performing Leaders, the idea of stepping away from the office—even for a day—can feel like a dereliction of duty. Whether it’s a lingering cold or a growing fatigue, it often seems easier to push through than pause. After all, there are meetings to lead, emails to answer, and strategies to implement. 🤦🏾♀️ But here’s the truth: Taking a day off might be the most effective leadership move you make all week. I want to bust up the myth that PTO is a luxury and show why it’s actually a leadership strategy. Especially for those of you with unlimited PTO, it’s time to start using it not as a perk, but as a performance tool.
The Problem with Powering Through
Zoom in…come closer…be honest…is your go to phrase, “I’ll push through?” We’ve all been there. You feel awful, but you show up anyway. You’re burned out, but you tell yourself, it’s only 3 days to the weekend, I’ll catch up on sleep then. Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe you believe things will fall apart if you’re not there to steer the ship. This mindset is called leadership martyrdom — and it's as unproductive as it is unsustainable. It occurs when a Leader “prioritizes the needs of others, including their team and organization, to the point of neglecting their own well-being and personal boundaries.” This leads to burnout and manifests itself as constantly picking up slack, working excessive hours, and neglecting self-care. Now you might be thinking,“Dr. Cristi is on to something…” Let me cook as I share a few ways this mindset and “powering through” in general backfires:
Cognitive performance drops when you’re unwell or tired, which means you’re more likely to make mistakes.
You model unhealthy work behaviors, leading your team to feel they should also push through illness and exhaustion.
You become a risk to others, especially if your sickness is contagious or the fatigue has increased your stress levels.
Recovery takes longer when you don’t rest, extending your time at less-than-optimal performance.
PTO Is a Leadership Tool — Use It Strategically
You’ve put in the work, year after year, and have hundreds of hours of PTO available. Or better yet, you have an endless supply. Unlimited PTO sounds like a dream. However, too often, Leaders avoid it because they fear judgment, backlog, or missed opportunities. Let’s flip the script. Instead of viewing time off as a sign of weakness or indulgence, see it for what it truly is: an investment in your mental clarity, emotional stability, and long-term effectiveness. Here are a few of the benefits (beyond the chance to disconnect from email and those ongoing MS Teams pings) of taking PTO or Sick Days:
Boosted creativity and problem-solving: Breaks enhance brain function.
Greater team autonomy: Stepping away empowers others to step up.
Reduced burnout: Even a single day of rest can interrupt the stress cycle.
Improved workplace culture: You set a tone that well-being matters.
The Unseen Power of Stepping Away
Taking a sick day or PTO isn’t just about recovery — it’s a leadership moment. The irony? When Leaders are absent for the right reasons, their teams often perform better. Not because they don’t need you, but because you’ve done the work of empowering them. By By taking time for yourself and stepping away, you:
Cultivate trust – Your team gets a chance to stretch their skills.
Foster independence – Others have space to lead and make decisions.
Normalize self-care – You set a powerful example that health isn’t optional.
If no one told you today, listen to Dr. Cristi: 🗣️ You’re not letting your team down by taking care of yourself. You’re leading by example. You’re reinforcing sustainability, boundaries, and trust. So the next time you're tempted to power through that headache or flu, or if you haven’t used any PTO to get away from the office in a long time, pause and ask: What would the wisest version of myself do right now? Your best work begins when you are well, rested, and reenergized. Remember, when Leaders honor their own boundaries, they give permission for their teams to do the same.
Taking a day off isn't a weakness—it's a power move. Your well-being is a leadership strategy. Ready to lead with more clarity, presence, and purpose—even in times of stress or uncertainty? 📞 Book a Discovery Call with Dr. Cristi to explore how mindful leadership strategies can transform your performance and your team.
As a special thank-you, I'm gifting you the PTO Power Plan! Designed to help you strategically use your time off to fuel both your personal well-being and your team's performance. This interactive tool will help you:
Identify your internal resistance to taking time off
Assess your team’s readiness for your absence
Plan for a “smart exit” and “smooth return” strategy
Design your next restorative PTO day
Looking forward to working with you to #EngineerBetterLeaders! ✨
Comments