How can you improve your leadership skills for better work-life balance?

Legend has it that when Warren Buffett’s pilot sought advice on success, the billionaire shared a simple yet profound 3-step plan, aka the 5/25 rule: 1. Jot down your 25 top priorities 2. From that list, circle the 5 most important 3. The Curveball: Those 5 are your “A-List”. The other 20? Contrary to what you might think, they’re not your “B-List” to give some-to-little energy towards. Buffet said they’re your distractions. Until you’ve crushed your top 5, these 20 are in the “AVOID-AT-ALL-COSTS” list. The moral of this story? Pour your energy, focus, and brainpower into your top 5. Give them your everything! ?? As for everything else? Learn the art of the graceful “No” or “Not now”. Because, more isn’t better; better is better.

Take time off. Remove the “no days off mentality”. Have clear boundaries. Implement strong self care. As mentioned above, as a business owner it’s important to find GREAT people who work for you to delegate. It’s important to let go of doing everything. Train people well, treat them amazing and empower them.

Do a reality check. Are you worried about work life balance because a) you work too hard or b) you don't like your current work? Are you really working too hard? Keep a diary and check. Often, the problem is not the amount of hours, but the stress of always feeling that you are shackled to the chains of technology: email and messages never stop. In this case, find the off switch when you escape those shackles and do not answer emails. Sometimes the search for work life balance is code for wanting to escape work which is not fulfilling. In that case, the answer is not "less work" but "different work" It pays to know the question you are answering

To improve your leadership skills while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, prioritize self-care and set clear boundaries. Delegate tasks to empower your team and avoid micromanagement. Develop time management skills to prioritize important tasks and eliminate unnecessary ones. Foster a culture of flexibility and encourage your team to maintain their work-life balance as well. Lead by example by taking breaks, utilizing vacation time, and promoting a healthy work environment. By demonstrating that you value work-life balance, you not only enhance your own leadership skills but also inspire your team members to achieve their own balance, resulting in increased productivity and well-being for all.

"Enhancing leadership skills while maintaining a healthy work-life balance requires intentional strategies. I focus on efficient delegation, empowering my team to take ownership, fostering trust, and promoting open communication. Setting clear boundaries and prioritizing tasks based on impact helps manage workload effectively. Continuous self-reflection enables me to evolve as a leader, ensuring I learn from experiences and adapt to challenges. Embracing a culture that values well-being, I encourage a supportive environment where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally. By integrating these principles, I aim to lead with resilience, promoting a balanced and fulfilling work-life harmony for myself and my team."

"Respond. Don't react." and "Ask before you assume" may be two of the best pieces of advice I have ever received. Work/life balance for me is the ability to wrap up the day and not be haunted by what I did or didn't say to someone. As leaders, what we say (or don't say) to those in our care can cause fear and anxiety that impacts them long after the end of the workday. Always be mindful of your tone, your timing, and your message.

Improving leadership skills for better work-life balance significantly involves honing communication effectiveness. My journey as a leader taught me the power of clear, respectful communication. It's not just about conveying goals and feedback; it's about genuinely listening to and understanding my team's needs. Effective communication fosters trust and collaboration, leading to a more efficient work environment. This efficiency, in turn, contributes to better work-life balance, as it minimizes conflicts and misunderstandings. I've also leveraged communication tools to streamline workflows, setting clear boundaries and establishing routines that respect professional and personal time.

Good communication does not start with questions and vision, it starts with listening. Really listening. Understand. Respond. Ensure space/time/culture for the response. Continue...

People are often afraid to speak up when they feel like their life is out of balance. They're afraid other people will assume they are not hard workers, aren't team players, or don't care as much as they should about the organization. In reality, though, most people will understand if someone speaks up and says they need to find personal balance. In fact, effectively communicating our own personal needs sets a precedent for others to feel comfortable in finding balance in their own lives and sharing their personal needs as well. I've always said, "Vulnerability begets vulnerability," and it's often the leader's job to set that tone. Sharing one's needs lets others know it's okay for them to share theirs as well.

Communication goes two ways. First, you have to ensure that work (and its people) understand your priorities. Similarly, if you have a family it's critical to explain the 'non-negotiable' hours or tasks that have to be completed each day/week. Next step for effective leadership is to ensure you listen to feedback from others based on your priorities. Remember, no plan survives first contact and priorities may genuinely need to be re-assessed occasionally based on feedback from others. Lastly, remember it's okay to say no. The more you achieve, the more opportunities you have to say 'yes' to things that are worthy of your attention. However, the more you achieve...you still have exactly the same amount of time in a day. Guard it.

Another area that should be considered when establishing your communication strategy for work-life balance as a leader, is EI or emotional intelligence. Having an awareness of what motivates and activates your team to perform at their best is essential to developing a workplace culture where everyone can thrive. Often times as a leader you're confronted with a variety of scenarios where emotions are often at the center. Therefore, being able to apply your emotional intelligence skills will enable you to move through these challenging situations with the level of tact and diplomacy required. EI is an area that can continually be refined. It's never a one in done, invest time into increasing your EI skills and it will pay dividends.

Everything about leadership is reliant upon having emotional intelligence. Knowing how to communicate with your team and motivate them is key to all things. You and your team need some work/life balance. First, know that looks different for everyone. What you can do is demonstrate balance for your team. Some weeks are going hard and some more relaxed. But show that balance for your team. Know when to delegate and also how to effectively and respectfully delegate. Keep deadlines at the forefront and know how to prioritize. When you work respectfully as a team and prioritize balance, the rest will happen.

Respond to unplanned situations with a calm and peaceful mind vs reacting and getting agitated or losing your cool in an office meeting or at home. Try and find the best-fit solution in a more modular way. e.g. your child's school meeting and an important work meeting clash. And, most importantly accept the decision you have made wholeheartedly vs feeling guilty or blaming anyone to avoid stress. We live a dynamic life and things are thrown at us all the time. This is not easy to deal with. Hence, a positive approach is super helpful. A perfect world is a non-existence :). Respond by accepting and adapting.

Many of the people not understanding there is a thin line between your work and life, you need to leave your personal things before entering into professional eco system or getting into any engagements / discussions. Similarly don't bring the professional things to personal life and not to compare with those practices.

Leaders with high emotional intelligence are more empathetic, self-aware, and able to manage their emotions, which can lead to better communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. By practicing emotional intelligence, leaders can create a supportive and positive work environment that is conducive to work-life balance for themselves and their team members. Improving emotional intelligence also helps leaders navigate challenges and stress with resilience and mindfulness, leading to a healthier work-life balance. By being more attuned to their emotions and those of others, leaders can prevent burnout, build stronger relationships, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

I would simply add here that feedback is a gift. When we actively listen for clarity and growth, we are able to accept feedback well. As leaders, we acknowledge that we do not know it all and we are subject to making mistakes. The key is to learn from those mistakes so that we are not prone to repeat them

Feedback acts as a compass, guiding improvements in both personal and professional realms. By absorbing feedback, adjusting your approach, and integrating valuable insights, you'll refine your leadership style, paving the way for a more balanced work-life dynamic. Be Open for feedback

You can receive feedback in a reactive or proactive manner. The former is a hit or miss, but the latter can be the most powerful. To receive proactive feedback, build transparent, trusting relationships with people in different parts of your career or life. Ensure they are clear on your goals and can help you measure your impact in achieving them. Additionally, pay attention to the informal and indirect feedback you receive. For example, read people's body language and pay attention to what they may not be saying. Most important, don't only focus on negative feedback. Ensure you spend equal time understanding what you do right, so you can grow from good to great. That's how you reach your true potential.

Feedback is absolutely important. As a leader, I constantly seek it and create a culture where people are comfortable enough to give it to me. You will not grow without it. Whether good or bad it’s needed to make you stronger, wiser, and the best leader you can be. I have one on ones with my team members and I listen to what they say and what they don’t. I empower them to give me feedback by asking probing questions first. Questions like “Do you feel that you are getting the best support from me as your leader? Is there anything that I can do differently? What are some things you would like to see me change and why? How will these changes impact you?”Self reflect, see all perspectives, ask other leaders if you don’t understand and grow.

Feedback is a fantastic way of giving and receiving reviews and opinions. One should definitely practice giving constructive feedback and one should be open to receiving it.

I’ve seen two main things that cause leaders to struggle with their own work life balance. Micromanaging and lacking the focus of time management. When leaders realize that it’s okay to let go of “here’s how I want it done” and focus more on the outcome and allow others to take ownership of a project, mentoring them along the way, their team gets stronger and it will free up time. Use the two questions of “are you clear on the expectations and do you have the tools you need” are helpful. And then finding the time management tool that works for them goes a long way.

Nowadays, there are coaches for just about every field. Mentors on the other hand are not listed so freely. Mentors serve as support and assist with training and development. I think mentors are included when we are seeking a circle of support! This helps with creating accountability support both professionally and personally.

Having a mentor as your accountability partner in business leadership is often overlooked, yet it is incredibly valuable and important. They act as your guide, supporting your self-care and helping you achieve your goals. Their role extends beyond giving advice; they ensure you stay on track and have your back. A mentor is like a caring best friend in the business world, dedicated to your success.

Find other leaders that are able to cultivate the amount well-being you would like to experience. Find out what they do, how do they think about their energy and focus. Assess for yourself if those tactics would work for you.

Everyone can benefit from a highly sought after coach. In addition to reading books, listening to podcasts, an exceptional coach can help you to change your entire perspective on work and life. You will see things from a different lens, focus on what you love doing and allow others to step up and enjoy the work that they came to do.

To me, time management is more about energy management. Keep track of your tasks throughout your day and the things that give and use energy.

Self- Care as a leader is a holistic approach. As an introverted woman in leadership, I practice daily self- care techniques throughout the work day. I know when my social battery needs to recharge; therefore, I am strategic about preparing for the day. I practice daily affirmations as well as take a few minutes a day to practice gratitude! And, it doesn't matter what is happening in my life, I MUST walk at least 30 minutes everyday! My health is non negotiable!

Self care should be an utmost priority to develop leadership skills. Daily I hit the gym which gives me more energy physically and mentally and reduces stress. Integrating healthy habit is not an easy task but with consistency we can achieve it.

I would add here that for many leaders, their self-care practice is relegated to "special moments" on weekends or vacations, which ultimately contributes more to a chronic burnout cycle than disarming it. Practicing effective self-care really is about practice - finding that one (or two) things) each day that keep your cup full on the daily, and then intentionally gifting ourselves the space every single day to make those things part of our routine.

Man kann nicht geben, was man nicht hat. Führungskr?fte haben einen Job, der viel von ihnen verlangt, und in dem sie anderen Menschen viel geben. Deshalb ist es so wichtig, die eigenen Batterien immer wieder aufzuladen und Regeneration zu einem Must Have zu machen. Entspannung, ausreichend Schlaf und schwierige Situationen emotional und mental, zum Beispiel mit Hilfe von Meditationstechniken, loszulassen, sind von gro?er Bedeutung für die innere und ?u?ere Balance.

I would suggest, stop looking for "work-life balance" and simply look for "life balance". Work is part of life as are family, friends, hobbies, volunteering ..... Make, or take, quality time for each of them and be present for each of them!

Think! To improve anything, you must define it first. Start by discovering your leadership style and take it from there. Do you know your leadership style??

Lead by example!! Walk the talk! It is essential to prioritise and delegate tasks effectively: setting clear boundaries, learning to say no when necessary, and empowering team members to take on responsibilities. Effective communication and active listening are crucial in understanding team members' needs and concerns, fostering a supportive work environment. Also, practicing self-care, time management, and setting realistic goals can help maintain a healthy work-life balance, leading to improved leadership skills and overall well-being. ???????

Improving your leadership skills for better work-life balance involves a combination of personal development, time management, and creating a positive work culture. Some strategies: Set Clear Priorities Effective Time Management Delegate Responsibilities Learn to Say No Effective Communication Lead by Example Encourage Flexibility Promote a Positive Work Culture Continuous Learning Regular Self-Reflection Invest in Personal Development Establish Boundaries Achieving a better work-life balance is an ongoing process, and it requires consistent effort and adaptation. Regularly reassess your strategies and make adjustments as needed to ensure that you are leading in a way that supports both professional success and personal well-being.

Rather than balance which feels like giving more to one side and leaving another, creating I can have it all energy space for oneself would encourage leaders to see them every aspect of life at equal level and they can then choose the level for each one to accomplish based on one's desire.