Foxes and other savvy creatures make burrows to which they can retreat. These are cozy dens offering familiarity, safety and rest.
Many business leaders have places that are like burrows – whether in their homes, in their offices or elsewhere – to which they can retreat in times of challenge and stress at the workplace. Can such a retreat be helpful? It depends.
The burrow can be an ideal location for the leader to reflect in productive ways. The quiet and lack of interruption – for appropriate periods of time – can allow the leader to gain perspective on a challenge, reframe a problem, consider fresh solutions or simply breathe deeply.
Alternatively, going into the burrow can be a reflex, rather than a fruitful reflective activity. The burrow can be a default escape when workplace issues seem so complex that the leader feels out of his or her depth. A fear of being shown up by bosses or peers may cause the leader to burrow for long periods, seeking to become expert on every task for which his or her team is responsible, rather than deciding how best to marshal and apply the team’s talents. The ripple effect of this extended burrowing is missed deadlines and a lag in addressing the most pressing workplace issues. Indeed, the comfort of the burrow can give the illusion that these issues can simply be avoided or postponed.
So, if you’re a leader with a comfortable burrow, the next time you’re about to head into it, consider whether this is a reflective or reflexive maneuver. Ask yourself a few questions, such as:
Is the burrowing time generally refreshing and a source of new clarity?
Have some of your most effective solutions been produced in your burrowing time?
OR
Is the burrowing time motivated by fear or avoidance?
Is the burrowing so extensive that your colleagues are commenting on your absences? Does burrowing make your personal or family time disappear?
Would clearer communications with your team – instead of burrowing – let you trust their expertise and enable you to show up more effectively with your bosses and peers?