Work-Life Balance: Leaders Need to be an Example

Many years ago, I noticed that most of my staff members worked too many hours. That might sound like a good problem to have, but I was very familiar with the consequences of working at such a pace.

I called a staff meeting to implore the team to keep an eye on their work-life balance. Many of them had significant others as well as kids. I started the meeting by commending them for their commitment to the organization. I also asked if they had the impression that this is what I expected from them. They told me that they knew that I was concerned for them and that I was not the reason that they were working too many hours. There were, however, reasons for their schedules. Some reasons identified were:

  • Feeling as if the work was too important to wait until the next day.
  • Taking one more telephone call would not be too oppressive.
  • Trying to catch up on email.
  • Getting a head start on the next day.

While the reasons were very altruistic in nature, we then reviewed some of the by-products of a lack of work-life balance. Some of the issues we covered were:

  • Increase stress and anxiety
  • Health issues
  • Less time with significant others and/or children
  • Less time to unwind
  • Delayed vacations
  • Job dissatisfaction
  • Burn-out
  • Ultimate damage to morale

I was not prepared for what happened next. One evening the week after the meeting, I was sitting at my desk. One of my team members asked if she could speak with me. A resounding of course was my response. She closed the door and took a seat. She slowly began to speak, and I explained that she could talk with me about anything. She blurted out, “I don’t believe you when you say that you want us to have work-life balance.” I was stunned. She went on to say, “I have tried to leave today three times. Each time that I reached the parking lot, your car was still there. In fact, it was here when I arrived this morning.” I knew immediately what she was saying. My actions were so far removed from my words. To say that I was convicted is an understatement.

Leaders, look in the mirror. We must be the example!