What Would Happen If Your Leader Stepped Away?

What would really happen if one of your leaders stepped away for an extended period of time?

Not a long weekend. Not checking email from the beach.

But a true unplug.

We asked ourselves that question at ELEVATION180—and then we lived it.

One of our leaders, Kelley, took a month-long honeymoon completely unplugged. Meanwhile, I held down the fort in her place to keep things running as usual.

Here’s what it was actually like, what worked, what I learned, and why every leader deserves to unplug the way she did.

The Question Every Leader Avoids

I think a lot of leaders—especially owners or partners—carry a quiet belief:

If I’m not working, things stop.

If my eyes aren’t on it, will it still get done right? If I step away, will something critical fall through the cracks?

That pressure creates control. And control, over time, creates burnout.

So when we started planning for Kelley to step away, it forced a much bigger question:

Have we actually built something that works without constant oversight?

Planning Far Earlier Than Felt Necessary

This wasn’t a last-minute decision. We planned for this almost a year in advance.

That meant:

• Building systems and structures early
• Clarifying decision-making authority
• Making sure nothing lived only in one person’s head

We also made a very intentional decision:

👉 We halted new projects and big builds until Kelley returned.

That changed everything.

Instead of pushing forward aggressively, my role became maintenance, monitoring, and stewardship—making sure things stayed on track rather than trying to move the business in new directions.

The Honest Experience While Kelley Was Gone

I’ll be honest—I was a bit nervous at first.

Not because I didn’t believe in our systems. But because I worried about what if something came up that I didn’t have experience with… or permission to handle… but was high-stakes enough to seriously impact the company.

That was the pressure.

And I made a personal commitment to myself:

If anything came up, I would exhaust every option before ever reaching out to Kelley.

We take our work seriously. And I wanted this to be a true reset for her—a chance to unplug completely so she could come back stronger, clearer, and more energized as a leader.

At the same time, I wanted to challenge myself.

And I learned a lot.

I learned that I can handle pressure. I learned how well I function when responsibility increases. I learned how Kelley approaches client relationships and decision-making—and I gained a deep appreciation for the way she leads.

The Role of Trust (On Both Sides)

What stood out most wasn’t just the systems.

It was trust.

Kelley trusted me to run things while she was gone. That trust felt incredibly honoring—and I wanted to return it by making sure she never had to worry.

That mutual respect mattered.

And when she came back, I felt confident handing things back knowing:

• We didn’t stall
• We didn’t scramble
• We didn’t panic

Instead, we proved that this kind of step-away doesn’t have to be scary when you’re prepared.

What This Experience Proved to Us

Because the groundwork was done so far in advance, nothing felt overwhelming.

Systems held. Processes worked. And when something wasn’t perfect, it showed us exactly what needed to be improved.

Even better?

Kelley came back refreshed. I became more confident. And the business came back stronger.

Why We Wish Every Company Could Do This

This experience reinforced something we believe deeply at ELEVATION180:

Businesses should not be built on exhaustion, control, or fear of stepping away.

Leaders deserve real rest. Teams deserve trust. And companies deserve systems that allow them to move forward—with or without one person in the room.

I truly wish every leader could unplug the way Kelley did.

Because when you build it right, stepping away doesn’t weaken the business.

It proves how strong it actually is.

A Question Worth Asking

If you stepped away for a month… what would happen?

Would your team feel clear and confident—or stuck and waiting? Would progress continue—or pause until you returned?

If you’re not sure, that’s exactly the kind of conversation we love having at ELEVATION180.

Because our work isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about helping leaders build alignment, clarity, and systems that allow businesses to grow without burning people out.

If you’re ready to create a business that can move forward—even when you step away—we’d love to start that conversation with you.

ELEVATION180 is a transformational coaching and mentoring organization that elevates your performance to achieve freedom, lifelong sustainable results, and a bigger future. Discover more by visiting www.ELEVATION180.com.

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