Episode 10 — The Vacation Advantage: Why Great Leaders Know When to Log Off

Summary:

In this candid and energizing solo episode, Lori explores a surprising superpower that many leaders underestimate: taking a real vacation. Drawing from her own story—where a life-changing trip to Paris with her sons became the moment she finally unplugged—Lori challenges the culture of hustle and the badge of busyness.

She breaks down why stepping away isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership. If you’ve ever answered emails from a beach chair, or told yourself “I’ll relax after the next deadline,” this episode is your permission (and playbook) to rethink what true rest looks like.

From neuroscience to team dynamics, Lori lays out a compelling case for disconnection as a strategy to reconnect—with yourself, your family, and your vision.

📍 If you’re building a sustainable leadership life and want to create a team culture that thrives even when you’re offline—this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Rest Is a Responsibility, Not a Reward

True vacations aren’t indulgent—they’re part of being an effective leader. Rest sharpens clarity, creativity, and decision-making.

• You Can’t Be Essential and Always Available

Being the bottleneck doesn’t make you irreplaceable—it makes you tired. Lori emphasizes building systems and trust that allow work to flow without you.

• The Paris Wake-Up Call

Lori’s honest reflection on a vacation that didn’t go as planned vs. the one that changed everything. Her turning point? Realizing her presence is the best gift she can give her family—and herself.

• Model the Culture You Want

If you want your team to value rest, you have to model it. Leaders who take real breaks create permission for their teams to do the same.

• Boundary-Setting Is an Act of Service

Clear out-of-office messaging, aligned expectations, and strong communication allow for guilt-free time off. Lori shares how she prepares her business and team for her absence.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Lori’s Paris vacation story—how stepping back redefined her leadership lens
• Science of unplugging: The mental health and productivity benefits of true rest
• Psychology of overwork: Why it’s so hard to stop—even when we want to
• Lakehouse vacation vs. Paris trip—two different outcomes, one major lesson
• Practical delegation tools and pre-vacation planning tips

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What would it take for you to feel safe unplugging?
• Do you believe your team can thrive without you for a few days? If not—why?
• Are you leading from depletion or from overflow?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Founders and executives who haven’t taken a guilt-free break in years
• Leaders struggling with control or delegation
• HR professionals cultivating healthy team dynamics and burnout prevention
• Working parents navigating boundaries between life and leadership
• Anyone who wants to rest, but feels like they can’t

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Download Lori’s Vacation Prep Checklist for Leaders
• Share this episode with your team before your next time-off request
• Follow Lori on LinkedIn for more leadership tools
• Book a Leadership Strategy Call: loripine.com

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📲 Share this with someone who needs a real break—and permission to take one