Work-Life Balance in Troubled Time

For years, the Israeli start-up community wasn’t merely an example of the grit and determination required to succeed in this increasingly challenging environment, it was THE archetype for how to build companies from scratch and deliver value to the investor community.? “Start-Up Nation” the unshakable moniker bestowed on this place by Dan Senor and Saul Singer in 2009, may feel a little cliché to those living this exciting reality, but, if I’m being honest, we’re also a little flattered.?Or maybe that’s just me.

But the traits that are indicative of this fast-paced, innovative, results-oriented region are also some of the characteristics that everyday Israelis have embodied since 1948.? These are but a few of the traits that have become even more important over the last three weeks.?

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In the days since October 7th, I have been in contact with countless entrepreneurs in or with connections to Israel.? We’ve spoken freely about the toll the attacks have taken on us personally as well as how it has impacted our teams and businesses.? Though nothing will ever be the same, I have complete confidence in my peers and, importantly, my colleagues at ScrubChart, as we move forward, tackling the every day challenges posed by this new reality.

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In that spirit, I wanted to offer some advice to my friends who may be similarly struggling to navigate this drastically changed landscape while trying to balance their own needs, be it emotional, spiritual, or physical.? The thoughts below were inspired by the conversations I’ve had with those in my network, and I want to again thank my friends and investors for always supporting ScrubChart and me.

Dramatically reduce the time allocated to consuming news and social media?

As an alternative, consider asking a friend or relative to be your news correspondent, tasked with alerting you to any important, pressing developments in real-time.

If you are pulled into the effort as a reservist or volunteer, let that be your focus, but be willing to temporarily replace yourself?

You cannot be in two places at once, so be bold and find someone you trust to act as leader in your stead.? These are complex times, but true leadership means embracing whatever solution is required to deliver ambitious goals.? Give clear direction on tasks, and objectives, and establish times for check-ins when possible, but empower this person to take action and continue advancing the work.

If you are not on reserve duty, your duty is to your team:?

Your clients, employees and investors are counting on you.? Your mission is to ensure the success of your business.? There will be time to support Israel in other ways – volunteering during personal time, and after the war – but for now, you must be present for those who are currently depending on you.?

A thriving economy is essential for recovery.? Taking this responsibility seriously cannot be overstated.?

Make time for the important conversations:?

Beyond the standard elements of a high-functioning team, your employees need empathy and normalcy, now more than ever.? Set aside time for 1:1’s that aren’t solely about the business.? How are they feeling today?? How is their family?? What support do they need at home or in the office?? Our people are our greatest asset, and our collective success depends on our ability to support each other during times of crisis. ?If your team is too large for you to take this on with any regularity, assign it to someone else who can make it a priority.?

Maintain a routine:?

These are not normal times, and I often wonder if it will ever feel normal again.? But creating routines – personally and professionally – can help restore some calm, and enable increased focus when tackling complex business questions.

Keep others informed of your progress and challenges:?

That means open, optimistic, and honest conversations with your employees, clients, and investors.? The margin for error was never our friend, but now especially, we need to be open to the support of others.? No one can be there for you or your team unless they know what you need.? And, more than that, casting a wide net will allow others to share in our success.? The good news is in short supply.? Let’s change that.

Entrepreneurs and those in the startup community have always needed to be corporate chameleons, possessing the ability to swiftly move between worlds and tasks.? This is certainly one of those times.? But if there’s one thing I know about my beloved Israeli family, adversity is in our DNA.? We have never seen these challenges as insurmountable setbacks.? Instead, these episodes have merely been catalysts inspiring new ways of working, fueling our imaginations for what’s possible.

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I am so proud of the entire ScrubChart team, and can’t wait to share our successes with you all in the coming days and months.