Episode 477

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This one is going to be hard for most agency owners to hear, but you need to take a sabbatical — or a vacation or any amount of time off where you completely unplug from the agency. No Slack, no email, no phone calls. Nothing.

Most of you just got really uncomfortable reading that statement, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want your agency to grow. In fact, not taking time off could be stifling agency growth more than you realize.

Every time you jump into a meeting with a client that your project manager or AE could be taking, or you need to sign off on a minor thing that your leadership team could handle, you’re making it harder for your team — and your agency — to grow.

Louise Oliver is going to share her story of how she was exactly like many of you, stressing over her maternity leave and avoiding deleting work apps off of her devices. And then she did it. She realized how much that time off helped her and her agency grow exponentially.

So, tune in and take the sabbatical.

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

sabbatical

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

  • Don’t be an agency owner who can’t imagine being involved in everything
  • Taking time off completely unplugged shows your team they trust you
  • The importance of having a strong leadership team to back you up
  • The stages of grief of unplugging during a sabbatical
  • The day and night difference Louise experienced after returning to work
  • Taking a sabbatical will give you the freedom to finally do the work you want to be doing
  • Letting your leadership put out fires while you’re away is the key to their growth
  • How stepping aside can help your team find weak spots in systems and processes
  • If a sabbatical or vacation feels impossible, that’s a good sign to look at how your team is structured
  • How taking time off can help you on a personal level outside of the agency

“We hear a lot about the value breaks provide, but I don't think there's enough conversation on the value it’s providing your team with leveling up.” - Louise Oliver Share on X
“Where our firm is now, and six months after my extended leave, it likely would've taken years to get to where we are. It expedited our growth exponentially.” - Louise Oliver Share on X
“Once I moved past the grief and started to recharge, I began to realize this was easier than I thought it would be.” - Louise Oliver Share on X
“I found there were habits and tasks that I was holding onto in the assumption that a business owner had to and realized there were people who could do that job better.” - Louise Oliver Share on X
“I cannot stress enough the importance of getting away from the noise and how clearly I think now. I hold myself more responsible for protecting that silence and thinking more than doing.” - Louise Oliver Share on X

Ways to contact Louise:

Resources: