As the Head of Digital at WildKat, where we specialise in the cultural field, I’ve always valued the intense, high-energy and high-impact nature of the work. All of us in the industry are constantly strategising, designing and optimising to reach the right people, at the right time, and in the right way. After 5 years of focusing on the daily deliverables and continuous evolution in the digital realm, I took up the opportunity for a two-month paid sabbatical, which is one of the benefits of working for WildKat.

For any of you reading who have come into direct contact with me, you’ll likely know that I fully throw myself into projects, and so the thought of having two whole months off was initially incredibly daunting. However, it has been a hugely positive experience and has allowed me to recalibrate, gain fresh insights, and ultimately return with a renewed commitment to my work, clients, and team.

In this article, I’ll share five of the lessons and benefits I found from taking a sabbatical, and how it has personally helped me. Maybe if some of you have the potential to take one, why I believe it’s an investment that leaders and creatives alike should definitely make at any stage in their career.

1. Refilling the Creative River

A big factor that has come out of taking a sabbatical might be obvious, but I don’t think it can ever be stated too much. To replenish creative energy.

Our work on campaigns, videos, branding and more, all are driven by ideas, and when you are constantly ‘switched on’ for an extended period, this creative source can deplete.

A friend of mine has often described his creative process as a river of ideas: ideas are not actually created by you, they are already formed and flow out when you spend the time and patience fishing them (consciously or subconsciously) and sometimes, that river can feel more like a trickle than a raging torrent.

During my time away, I travelled to new places and opened myself to new experiences that allowed my mind to wander and weave. I visited exhibitions, traipsed museums and circumvented cities – activities that inspired me in ways that aren’t manageable with the typical day-to-day routine.

Being able to fully disconnect and re-immerse myself in a variety of cultural landscapes, has helped me return with fresh ideas and new connections. To refill the creative river. I have found myself reinvigorated and equipped with new perspectives, bringing advanced solutions to the challenges and goals to the benefit of my clients and my team.

2. Gaining Fresh Industry Insights

A major part of working in any communications or marketing role in the cultural sector (or any sector in fact), is getting to grips with the pulse and balance of both tradition and innovation. 

I dedicated part of my sabbatical to exploring shifts within our industry, particularly in the way that technology is reshaping how people engage with culture and the challenges/opportunities that they can present.

Stepping back from the day-to-day gave me the space to really have a good dig and venture. I had the chance to attend industry festivals and keep both my Google and META training up to date with their newest products, keeping my skills sharp while gaining a holistic view of where we’re potentially heading. This deep dive reaffirmed for me the growing importance of digital mediums in bridging audiences to cultural experiences. I returned to my team not only with an enhanced lens but with actionable insights that we are already incorporating into our campaigns.

3. Fostering Personal Growth and Self-Awareness

A sabbatical isn’t just about professional growth; it’s a chance to focus on personal development as well. In the hustle and bustle of managing a department, it’s easy to lose sight of your own development and goals. This break provided me with the time to reflect on my values, my strengths, and which areas I could definitely improve.

This period of self-reflection helped me rediscover what continually draws me toward the world of culture — the ability to connect people with meaningful experiences that resonate deeply with them. This sense of clarity is invaluable, not only for my personal development but for guiding my team with a stronger sense of purpose and direction.

4. Strengthening Leadership Skills

As I’m sure many of you who are either in leadership positions or aspiring to be, agree that true leadership is as much about managing and understanding yourself as much as developing others. The time away allowed me to focus on building up my resilience and adaptability, qualities that are essential in the fast-paced world of digital, with all the different updates that can lead to a lot of frustration. I have returned with a heightened awareness of what makes me tick, alongside the importance of empathy, communication, and work-life balance, qualities I aim to continue to cultivate within my team.

By stepping away, I also gave my team the opportunity to grow and take on new responsibilities in my absence. It allowed them to make decisions independently and work through challenges without my direct oversight or interference. No more safety net under the tightrope. This was a valuable exercise in trust-building and I believe has made us a stronger, more cohesive unit even across continents. I always hold that one good measure of how you are doing in leadership is what happens when you aren’t there, and I am incredibly proud of how my team functioned and operated over the two months.

Coming back I approach leadership with renewed confidence, knowing that I can step back and that my team will excel—a powerful testament to the impact of a supportive work culture and giving space to ‘let them cook’.

5. Enhancing Client Relationships with Renewed Vision

My final learning is that I have been able to return with a refreshed approach to client relations. Whilst WildKat’s philosophy has always been to work with the client and effectively contribute and guide towards their outcomes, I have returned with a renewed ability to connect on a deeper level with their missions and objectives. 

In the creative sector, our clients are often driven by passion and purpose rather than solely profit and the approach needs to be adjusted to fit that (a key part of what I believe makes us a successful agency). A sabbatical can give leaders the clarity and distance needed to better align with their client’s goals and offer more tailored and effective strategies that authentically represent and amplify these passions and purposes.

In a sector where authenticity matters to both internal and external optics, this rejuvenated perspective is invaluable. Since returning, I’ve noticed that my discussions with clients feel more connected and more purposeful. I’m able to meet their needs from a place of heightened enthusiasm, which ultimately enhances our partnership and the quality of work we produce together.

Why a Sabbatical is an Investment in Future Growth

Taking a sabbatical was not just a break; it was an investment in my own growth, my team’s development, and the ability to serve our partners and clients more effectively. For those considering a sabbatical and who are lucky enough to have the opportunity, I can say with confidence that it’s one of the most impactful decisions you can make.

In a world where the landscapes are evolving rapidly (and seemingly accelerating), it’s essential that we, as leaders, take the time to reflect and evolve with it. The time away gave me space to recharge, enhance perspectives, and reconnect with my passion for what we do. I return more focused, more creative, and more resilient—qualities that directly translate to stronger relationships and more impactful campaigns.

I’d like to end by thanking WildKat for making this investment in me and reiterating my pride in the digital team I hope that everyone I work with is able to benefit from this experience as much as I have.

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TLDR: George had a good time