Who's The Boss?

Gordon Brown is off enjoying his holidays in the lovely Southwold. While he's having fun at the Under The Pier Show, Harriet Harman is confidently chairing meetings and letting people know that she's 'minding the shop' whilst Gordon rolls up his trouser legs and goes for a paddle. Meanwhile Gordon's spokepeople have made it clear that he's still very much in charge and will be making key decisions despite being away from the office.

Adding to the general confusion Alistair Darling is reading the red boxes with one finger on the nuclear button. So who is in charge? Who does get to take the big decsions? If there's a problem to sort out who tells people what to do? The answer isn't entirely clear.

The same is true in offices everywhere when bosses scoot off on their holidays. The result is either everyone scrambling for power or no-one making decisions, or in the worst possible cases - both.

Summer holidays are a great opportunity for managers to demonstrate some fundaments of management and delegate effectively, being clear about who is in charge of what and what the limits of authority are. Coaching employees to take on the role and ensuring they have the skills and confidence to step up makes the experience far less stressful for everyone.

Before you set off remember - passport, tickets, money, delegation. Then everyone can relax and enjoy the summer.