Here's how you can balance work-life priorities while effectively managing a team.

Without boundaries, burn out can happen quickly! In the early years at my last company, I was eager to learn and volunteered for everything, but I hadn't established any boundaries for myself or my interactions with the company. I used my personal phone for work, so there was never any true "unplugging." It became an expectation to respond at all hours, even when I wasn't on call, and even customers had my personal number. It wasn't until year five that I started advocating for boundaries. I made it clear that I wasn't on call 24/7 and that I needed time to unplug. I spent nine years with that company, and the lessons I learned are invaluable: It's okay to say no and set boundaries. Everyone needs boundaries! Open communication is key!

Lead by Example: I model work-life balance, showing that well-being fuels success. Open Communication: Regular check-ins help manage workloads and build trust. Empower & Delegate: Empowering my team and delegating tasks balance workloads and boost confidence. Promote Flexibility: I support flexible work arrangements to enhance productivity and satisfaction. Supportive Culture: A supportive environment makes my team feel valued, driving collective success. I’m committed to evolving our culture for better work-life harmony and future growth.

Add actionable examples to emphasize the application of boundaries. "Establishing clear boundaries is crucial for work-life balance. For example, create specific 'no work' zones in your calendar, and encourage your team to set similar boundaries. This practice not only helps in maintaining personal time but also builds a culture that values well-being."

Start by modeling healthy work-life balance behaviors yourself, such as respecting work hours and taking breaks. Encourage your team to communicate their needs and establish flexible schedules that accommodate personal commitments. Prioritize tasks collaboratively, ensuring the workload is manageable and deadlines are realistic. Implement regular check-ins to assess team members' well-being and workload. Offer resources for time management and stress relief, such as training or workshops. By promoting a balanced approach, you enhance team morale and productivity, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

List down the priorities and be aligned to it. There could be adhoc tasks which needs to be taken care. Analyze it carefully and re-prioritize the tasks and accommodate it in the To-do list. Make sure the tasks needs to be listed down as per the available time for the day. And never overcommit on the tasks and get into the burn out mode. It's always setting up a wrong expectations which would lead to out of track for work-life balance. We should be delegating the tasks to the right people, follow up with them and get it done. Be transparent and encourage open communication.

No one is going to do the job as well as you... But once you decide that that is okay you earn yourself freedom. Half of the issue people experience with delegation is that their need for perfectionism stops them from trusting anyone else enough to do the task. Let people fail and learn and maybe even be better than you.

Highlight the importance of feedback in delegation. "Effective delegation is key, but it's also essential to provide constructive feedback on delegated tasks. This not only helps employees grow but also ensures the quality of work meets expectations while allowing you to focus on higher-level priorities."

Embracing flexible schedules is crucial, but ensure that flexibility is balanced with team collaboration. Establish core hours for team meetings and encourage open communication to maintain cohesion while offering flexibility.

Recognizing efforts should also highlight work-life balance achievements. Celebrate when team members successfully manage their workload while maintaining their personal commitments, which reinforces the importance of balance in your team's culture.

When we first recognized the need for a cultural shift, it was an eye-opener. I always considered myself a good leader and manager, but I realized our culture wasn't truly fostering success or acknowledging the great work people were doing. Some employees felt they weren’t receiving meaningful feedback or recognition for their efforts. Celebrating successes—both individual and team achievements—is paramount! Public praise is essential. Everyone’s wins should be celebrated!