How to Set Boundaries With Your Team While You're on Vacation Are you one of those leaders who just can't seem to detach from "work mode" even when you're sitting on a beach in Hawaii? Here's how to ensure both you and your team can thrive when you're on vacation.

It's all too easy to stay on call and available 24/7/365 when you're one of the company's top executives. Good leaders want to make themselves accessible, but good leaders also know it's essential to take breaks regularly — and to take a vacation at least once a year. It's essential if you're self-employed or a freelancer too. Taking a break now and then helps keep your business from taking over your entire life.

What's more, vacation-positive workplace culture is good for business. Encouraging employees to take vacations helps improve their productivity, reduces job dissatisfaction and raises employee engagement. Work-life balance might seem elusive, but it'll help you reduce a high turnover rate and the costs associated with it. It's an essential part of a productive, supportive work environment.

As your company's leader, you know you should encourage employees to take vacations by setting a good example and taking regular vacations yourself. But it's not so easy to simply step away and stay disconnected for two weeks, ignoring any work issues that arise. What's more, is your team actually empowered and capable of handling those little crises without your input? Do they even see a two-week vacation as a good thing?