Sanity starts with your out of office 🏖️
Can your company run without you? There’s only one way to find out.
For 15 years, I never set an out-of-office reply. I called it dedication. Really, it was paranoia: what if a client panicked? What if a competitor pounced? I was sure if I disappeared, everything would fall apart.
But here’s what nobody tells you: staying glued to your inbox doesn’t make you essential, it just makes you a liability.
A founder who can’t switch off is not leading. They’re micromanaging their own exhaustion.
Every founder says they want work-life balance, but most secretly believe only they can put out the fires.
That’s why the OOO is so revealing. It’s not a holiday auto-reply, it’s a test of whether your company can survive without you.
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What your out-of-office really says
“Please email my colleague.”
You trust your team and your systems.
“No WiFi, will respond on return.”
You’re either living your founder fantasy, or you’re just hiding.
“Contact Janet… who’s also away, contact Colin…”
You’re the architect of chaos, and nobody is getting help until Q3.
The new OOO rules for founders
Set an OOO and mean it
Don’t just tell people you’re gone; actually leave. Don’t check “just in case.” Trust the process. If you think you’re irreplaceable, you’re not.
Be honest, not heroic
Tell people when you’re back. Don’t apologise. Don’t claim “limited access” if you’ll be sneaking peeks every hour. Your team and clients can spot BS.
No drama, no novels
Skip the humblebrag. Don’t announce your Ibiza villa or “speaking at Money20/20.” You’re not impressing anyone.
One contact. One.
Never chain alternate contacts. If nobody can help, say so. “I’ll reply when I’m back.” Set expectations, not a wild goose chase.
Don’t set yourself up to fail
“WhatsApp me if urgent” is code for “I’ll be stressed on the beach.” Draw a line. You’ll come back sharper.
OOO templates (swipe if you dare)
Here’s how to not sound like a robot:
Minimalist:
“Thanks for your email. I’m out until [date]. If urgent, contact [colleague]. Otherwise, I’ll reply then.”
Solo operator:
“I’m offline until [date]. Everything can wait. I’ll reply when I return.”
With personality:
“Testing whether the world survives my absence. Out until [date]. For emergencies, try [colleague]. For everything else, try patience.”
Why this actually matters
Your OOO is the real founder test. Setting it signals trust, not absence.
It proves your team can step up, your systems work, and your business won’t grind to a halt without you. It’s founder self-care and founder stress test.
A founder should be able to leave and watch things run smoother. If you can’t, you’ve built a company dependent on your anxiety, not your vision.
Sooo, set your OOO for 24 hours this week. Don’t peek. See what breaks.
You might be surprised: the world (and your business) won’t end.
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