How Do You Manage Work-Life Balance?
Navigating the dynamic landscape of leadership demands more than just strategic thinking—it requires balance. Discover how a Founder & CEO sets clear boundaries and time blocks to maintain equilibrium. Gain further insights from industry leaders, with topics stretching across four transformative strategies. Concluding the lineup, a CEO sheds light on eliminating non-value activities for a more focused professional path.
- Set Clear Boundaries and Time Blocks
- Embrace Strategic Disconnection
- Prioritize and Delegate Tasks
- Eliminate Non-Value Activities
Set Clear Boundaries and Time Blocks
To maintain work-life balance, I prioritize setting clear boundaries and time blocks for both work and personal activities. For example, I dedicate specific hours in the evening to spend with my family, and I make that time non-negotiable. During this period, I disconnect from work completely to recharge. A strategy that works well for me is using my calendar to schedule personal time with the same importance as business meetings. This ensures I can stay fully present in both areas without one overshadowing the other, allowing me to maintain a healthier balance.
Embrace Strategic Disconnection
Embrace the power of strategic disconnection to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For me, I've found that setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is important for long-term success and well-being. Start by implementing a "no email after hours" policy for yourself and your team, unless it's a genuine emergency. Use technology to your advantage by scheduling emails to be sent during work hours, even if you write them in the evening.
Don't underestimate the importance of fully unplugging during vacations; delegate responsibilities and trust your team to handle issues in your absence. One often-overlooked strategy is to schedule personal activities with the same level of commitment as work meetings. In my calendar, family dinners and workout sessions are given the same priority as board meetings. This approach has not only improved my personal life but also enhanced my focus and productivity during work hours.
Remember, effective leadership isn't about being available 24/7; it's about being present and effective when you are working. The key takeaway? By setting clear boundaries and prioritizing personal time, you're not just improving your own well-being—you're modeling a sustainable approach to success for your entire organization.
Prioritize and Delegate Tasks
As a business coach who has worked with hundreds of executives, I often stress that work-life balance is not about equal time but about prioritization and intentional boundaries. One strategy that works well is setting non-negotiable time blocks. For example, I reserve certain hours in the evening for family. This helps create a clear separation between work and personal life while also maintaining a level of discipline.
Another strategy is delegation. V-level executives must empower their teams to handle responsibilities, which frees up time to focus on high-level tasks and personal well-being. The key is ensuring that your calendar reflects both your professional and personal priorities.
Eliminate Non-Value Activities
You get one life; live it fully, not in compartments. My career is an example of that—I didn't follow a linear path, instead optimizing for learning and impact. I started my career in law, and friends were surprised when I left after a decade for the business side. Five years later, I was running operations at an executive level. From working in Big Law to serving in leadership roles in enterprise firms (KPMG and BDO) and as the COO of a national law firm where I increased revenue by 20% and profits by 30%, I’ve learned that "balance" is a myth. There is no separation between work and personal time, especially given our devices keep us connected regardless of time and location, but there can be a rhythm that works for you.
Now, as the owner of my own consultancy, there is very little separation between work and personal time, but this is my passion and where I find fulfillment. That doesn't mean all I do is work. One strategy that helps me is eliminating activities that don’t add value to my business or personal life. I avoid distractions like mindless scrolling or watching TV out of habit. Rest is crucial, but I focus on creating impactful moments—whether it’s solving a client issue, spending time with family, or going on a trip with friends. I try to find purpose in my life and allow work and personal satisfaction to complement each other instead of compete.
