In Search of Balance

Many times in our careers, we engage in conversations with our teams and colleagues on “work life balance” sharing tips and techniques to fulfill this illusive goal. I’ve shared my advice over the years while personally grappling with my own ability to be achieve success in both areas of my life.

Late last year, I made the very personal decision to take a break from professional life.?For over 8 years, I worked in Cincinnati and San Antonio while my family stayed back in Columbus.??With all of the best intentions to “balance” the time between my work and home locations, the reality is I only spent a small percentage at home.?Note: I am very pleased that the pandemic proved out that “work from home” can be an efficient and effective practice! With three kids about to depart to three different states, this was the right time for me to enjoy my family and tilt the “balance” in the other direction.?After an intentional transition, I firmly and energetically committed to a minimum of 6 months off.

Now entering my fifth month, I am refreshed, rejuvenated and re-connected to my family and myself.?Like most of us in our professional life, I developed a plan and executed against it while remaining agile to take advantage of things as they popped up.?I embarked on father-son, father-daughter trips to connect individually; traveled to Greece as a family; visited my aging father in Florida; moved my son into an apartment in NYC as he launched his career; spent several weeks at the lake in Tennessee honing my fishing skills :); explored Medellin with a Colombian friend; soaked in my daughter’s last high school track season; and much more.?As I close in on month six, we will be moving our two daughters to their respective off-campus house and dorm rooms with the pride and emotion many of you have experienced. ?Then it’s off to the western U.S. for one more trip in a Sprinter van!

There are countless experiences and lessons I have enjoyed during this precious time…way too much to list here. However, I wanted to share two.?

Professionally, this experience reinforced to me the criticality of building diverse, talented teams that can spread the “load” and engaging in rigorous succession planning, regardless of whether you think you need to implement it in the short term.?My internal successor had been on the “list” for nearly 3 years and we were thoughtful on providing assignments that prepared him for the role including leading the largest P&L business, reporting to me.?I personally benefited from those that invested in me through rotational (and sometimes stretch) assignments so I was ready to step up if and when the time called.?This “lattice” or “pyramid” approach to building a career is far superior than the proverbial “ladder” approach.?Succession is a 365-day always on activity, not an in the moment reactionary activity when a role is about to open up unexpectedly.?A year ago, never would I have imagined that I would to take this break, but planning for it opened the door for me to take it leaving the organization in capable hands with a great team ready to step up.

Personally, I am not suggesting that everyone go off and take his or her own 6+-month "sabbatical". I did and it was the best decision I have ever made.?But I have clearly learned that going “guardrail to guardrail” between work and personal life is not a sustainable path.?If you are active on LinkedIn, clearly you are very focused on your career as I have been for nearly 30 years.?But more than ever, I see how striking “balance” will not only allow you to “live life” but also keep you recharged to be the most effective at work.?

During those “work life” balance conversations noted above, I often cite focusing on true prioritization of what matters and one of my favorite stories which has even more meaning for me today.?It’s called the Trouble Tree.?It goes something like this…

A carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.?Upon arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.?Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.?"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied." I know I can't help having troubles or stress on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."?He paused. "Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."?

What really matters at the end of the day both personally and professionally? What are the "big rocks" and what is the "sand"? Prioritize, what will truly move the needle. I don't have it figured out but this last several months will help me improve my ability to achieve balance in the future.