This document discusses the importance of work-life balance for leaders and employees. It provides several recommendations for leaders to consider to help employees recharge and maintain a sustainable workload. These include allowing flexible work schedules including telework, providing employees with necessary technology to stay connected, avoiding directing employees to only use company devices for work, setting clear vacation communication policies, and leading by example by not being constantly available. The general rules recommend that leaders manage their own time well, make time for non-work activities like family and hobbies, and maintain self-care.

1. Work Life Balance
One of the more difficultcomplications aleaderwillface isthe maintenance of ahealthyworklife
balance andhow to create balance foremployees. We must assure that employeesalsoare notdriven
to an unhealthylifestyle. Asaleader,we can also become consumedwiththe jobanddrive ourselvesto
an unhealthy,unsustainablelevel of workload.A leader canbecome soabsorbed inattaininggoals that
we raise our expectationsof ourteamto an unhealthy level.Toassure thatwe allow employees time to
recharge themselvesandbecome more productive,the followingoptionsshouldbe considered.
LeadershipRules:
1. Allowemployees toteleworkasneeded. Allowinganemployeethe flexibilitytocarryon operations
whenemployees can’tgettothe office because of familycomplicationsand/orbadweatherhasan
extreme payback. Conceptuallywe maythinkthatpeople willnotbe productive while working
remotely,butstudiesshowthe temporaryrelief will invigorate the employee’soutlookonworkandwill
allowsomeone’s self-worthtoincrease. However,asaleaderyoumustset guidelinesasto the amount
of time thatisallowedandthe requirements toparticipate onmandatorymeetings.
2. Give employees the necessarytechnical toolstobe effective. Offertopayforpart or all of devices
that are necessaryforthe employeestostayconnected. Studiesshow that employees willstay
connectedforlongerhoursif theyhave the devicesthatallow email andother communications tooccur
afterhours.
3. Avoiddirecting employees fromusingthe company’s hightechproductsforbusinessuse only. Past
practicestoldemployeesthatdeviceswere only forbusinessuse. Unlessrestrictedbyinformation
protection,the pastpracticeshave provenineffective. Employeeswouldshutthe company’s cellphone
off afterhoursand use theirpersonal phonestherebylimiting the benefits of havingthe device.
4. Set the standardthat employeesshouldnotbe calledoremailedwhile onvacation unless itisurgent.
Define whatisconsideredurgentanddonot violate it. Employeesneedthe time torecharge
themselvesandneedtofeel thatitis acceptable notto engage while onvacation. Thisalsoallows
othersto stepup anddemonstrate theirworth andencouragestheirgrowth. If itisnecessary foran
employeetobe available whileonvacationorduringdowntime,assure thatthe hours are limited.
Contingenciesshouldbe plannedsothatthere issomeone thatcanassume the rolesnecessary.
5. Leadersand executivesshouldneverbe off the gridforextendedtimes. Employeesmustfeel that
theyare notabandonedwhenthe executiveisgone. Emergenciesdoarise andleadersdoneedtomake
decisions. Employeeswill respectthe executive’sneedtobe outand will notoverburdenthem. If a
leaderdoesnotacceptthispremise, thentheyare notexecutivematerial.
6. Set the standardsto yourteam forcommunicationswhentheyare out. Textingandcallingisfor
urgentissues,emailsare forroutine problems,andonline accesstogroup folders islow priority. Never
use social media(i.e. Facebook,Instagrametc.) tocommunicate companyissues.

2. 7. Establishface toface communicationsforimportantissues. Thisisthe mosteffectivecommunication
and mostof these canbe preplanned.
8. Respectthatpeople are different. Everyone has differnetprioritiesandwe cannotexpecteveryone
to accept ours. Let the employee returnacall at a laterhour if theyare home. Employeeshave
personal livesandtheyneedyoutorespecttheirlifeasthey respectyourneeds.
General Rules:
1. Manage your time. Whenyoushowup to work,know yourprioritiesandknow how toassure whatis
reasonable togetaccomplishedwithinthe dayorweek. Delegateoutthe remaindertoassure itis
completed.Make time forhobbies,passions, andrelationships.Few of uslive forworkalone anditis
not healthytodoso.
2. Take time for you. It is importantto rememberthatall yourfree time doesnothave tobe available
time. Enjoysome alone time andtime thatyoudo thingsforyou. Have a social life andschedulesocial
activities wherethe phone is off. Enjoyweekendsandvacations. Take specificpartsof those times that
youare out of communicationwithwork. Letitbe knowninadvance thatyou will notbe available and
thenfollowthroughand don’tbe available. Arrange forcoverage duringthese timesforurgentissues.
Postthe contingencycontactsanddo notviolate those timeswithworkcalls.
3. Make time foryourfamily. Setthose timesaside forjustthem. Follow the same coverage rules
aforementionedbutgive themthe one onone time theysoneedand deserve. If youparentingpartner
istiedup inwork,do not abandon everyone bygettinginvolvedwithworkissues. Ninety nine percent
of the issuesthatcome to youcan be delayedorpostponedforanhouror two. Make familytime
special andassure themthat theyare a priority bynotbeinginvolvedwithwork.
4. Get yourhome choresdone. Take time for themandplanthem. Be specificinthe tasksyouwill take
on and planthemout. Take on the leastfavorite taskearlyinthe weekasthatwill allow the taskto be
takenon withoutthe burned outfeelingfromabusy workweek. If youleave hardtasks forwhenyou
are exhausted,theywillbecome more burdensome andirritating. Realizethatsome taskswill have to
gethired out to otherpeople soonly planfora reasonable amountof worktobe completed byyourself.
5. Finally,take care of yourself.Eata healthydiet,getenoughsleep,make time forrelaxation,exercise,
volunteer,andbe balancedperson. Know whenyourlife isoutof control andif neededseek
professionalhelp.