Changing Your Perspective on What it REALLY Means to Find Balance
BALANCE. Everyone’s talking about it—searching for it, chasing it, longing for it. Yet for most leaders, it remains elusive, a mirage shimmering just out of reach. Here’s a truth you might not expect: balance isn’t about equal time. It never was.
In researching balance for my book, 10 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd, we found a common thread in our surveys: most leaders feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, and starved for time. The list of wants and needs sounded familiar:
- “I want more quality time with my family.”
- “I wish I had moments just for myself.”
- “I want to prioritize my health.”
- “I desperately need better sleep.”
- “I miss connecting with my friends.”
- “I’d love to contribute more to my community.”
- “My partner and I hardly ever spend meaningful time together.”
- “My career demands too much.”
- “I feel constantly disorganized.”
- “There’s no time left for my personal interests.”
- “There simply aren’t enough hours in the day.”
Sound familiar? Of course it does. Here’s a teaching moment: Leadership isn’t about magically creating more time. It’s about radically shifting your perspective from time-management to emotion-management.
Teaching Moment 1: Redefine Balance as Emotional Fulfillment
Balance is not about clock-watching or dividing hours equally between professional and personal responsibilities. True balance hinges on how you feel at the end of the day, both at work and home. Are you satisfied, respected, and valued in both arenas? Leaders who achieve genuine balance are the ones who intentionally cultivate environments where they—and their teams—feel seen, heard, appreciated, and respected.
Teaching Moment 2: Create Meaningful Moments, Not Just More Hours
Effective leaders recognize that it’s the quality, not quantity, of time that defines true balance. A focused, intentional hour spent connecting deeply with your family can outweigh a distracted evening of multitasking. Similarly, a deliberate, focused team meeting that acknowledges individual contributions and fosters genuine connection will boost morale and productivity far more than a day filled with meaningless tasks.
Teaching Moment 3: Implement the “Check-In” Strategy
Great leaders regularly perform emotional check-ins—both personally and with their teams. Make it a habit to pause and ask: “How am I feeling right now? What do I need to feel more balanced?” Extend this practice to your employees by regularly asking, “Do you feel valued? What would help you feel more supported and balanced?” This proactive approach can dramatically improve morale and reduce burnout.
Teaching Moment 4: Prioritize Intentional Boundaries
Balance thrives in healthy boundaries. Leaders must set clear expectations for when work stops and personal time begins. Respect these boundaries fiercely—for yourself and your team. When leaders model healthy boundaries, they create a culture of respect, resilience, and rejuvenation.
Balance isn’t optional; it’s essential. Effective leaders champion holistic well-being not just for themselves but for their entire teams. Leaders who openly prioritize wellness set a powerful example that boosts team morale, loyalty, and effectiveness.
Action Item: Regularly discuss and encourage self-care within your team meetings. Share your own practices and invite others to do the same, creating a supportive environment.
Remember, finding balance isn’t a math problem—it’s a perspective shift. Embrace the idea that it’s not about evenly divided hours but about deeply enriching experiences. When you consistently feel acknowledged, respected, and fulfilled, that elusive feeling of balance naturally follows.
As leaders, we have a remarkable opportunity to redefine what balance looks like—not just for ourselves but for everyone around us. Let’s start today.
Here are a few EXTRA thoughts on work and life balance…
Ready to transform your leadership team and redefine balance in your organization? I will deliver an engaging, insightful keynote session designed to equip your leaders with powerful tools for creating authentic balance and positive culture shifts. Contact me today and start making lasting, impactful changes that energize your team and elevate your organization.
