With the ongoing Covid pandemic employees have started to place significantly more focus on a better balance between their work and life. For most people, we have become used to having increased flexibility about when and how we undertake our work as a result of prolonged ‘work from home’ periods. People have started to question their purpose in life and as we move into an increasingly hybrid way of working – with all the challenges that will entail – we are more cognizant than ever of the need to create a better work life balance

In the late 2000’s I was involved in conducting interviews for a series of leadership awards – one of which was for Work Life Balance. When interviewing the President of a large global communications company my first question was “Tell me about your approach to Work Life balance”. His response: “I don’t believe in it”.

I was shocked! Here he was, being interviewed for a Work Life Balance award, and he says he doesn’t believe in it.

However, he went on to say “I don’t believe in work life balance in the traditional way we view this – I do however believe in a work-life continuum. Every person finds and defines their own balance. If you want to go to the gym for a couple of hours at lunch time that’s fine, because you know that you will also be up at 10 pm taking international calls”.

While he didn’t win the award, he was definitely ahead of his time in terms of flexible work arrangements and the realization that it’s about outcomes, not presenteeism. And when I say outcomes I am not only talking or organizational outcomes, but also personal outcomes.

A friend of mine realized this the hard way.

In her early 30s she developed blood clots in the brain that severely impacted her health. A bubbly, energetic and outgoing person she was also a driven, capable and hard working executive. The blood clots knocked that energy and light out of her, however she felt that she needed to continue working even though she was very sick. While recovering at home from surgery and on a cocktail of blood thinners and other medications she continued to perform her job remotely (long before WFH was the norm). As a result her recovery stagnated, she continued to lose weight, and ultimately suffered a relapse.

At this – her lowest point – she came to a realization “If I die, the company will send flowers”

She stopped working from home and focused on her recovery. To her surprise the company was far more supportive than she had thought they would be, and when she had recovered she went back to work – initially on a part time basis before going back full time. She has since fully recovered and now leads a lively and enjoyable life. She has moved on from that organisation and is now HR Director in a leading MNC.

So remember, while work is important – and for many of us defines who we are – the reality is that at the end of the day we are all replaceable.

So look after yourself. Find your own work-life continuum and live your best life.

Don’t end up a corporate bouquet.