What's the point of a leave of absence for an executive?

Understand what processes don't work without you. Understand which processes need to be automated. Automation is achieved either by writing regulations, when some process is "backlash", or by a script that helps people not to forget (for example, about payment of the bill) or to control (for example, the expense of the project).

The other part of the processes needs redundancy: something that is not done without you or without your top manager. It is highly recommended that you go on vacation at least three times a year in order to understand how to make the system more reliable when you return.