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Is the culture of overwork and total dedication to one’s career, exalted over time, the only path to success? A narrative has been reinforced that the most effective leaders are those who sacrifice their personal lives for work, sleep few hours, are always connected, and have no time to be with their families. Is this really the only model of effective leadership, or is it possible to be a great leader without giving up a fulfilling personal and family life?

image: Emphasis

The concept of work-life balance is often seen as a utopia, especially among leaders who set the norms within organizations. Many believe that balancing family responsibilities and a high-level career is, at best, an unattainable ideal, and at worst, a complete myth. However, initiatives like the ThirdPath Institute, led by Jessica DeGroot, are challenging this perception, proposing that it is possible to redefine leadership practices and find time for both work and personal life.

This movement began about 20 years ago when a group of executives decided it was time to change how they balanced their personal lives with their careers. Over years of meetings and sharing experiences, these pioneering leaders discovered that by working more balanced and efficiently, they could not only improve their personal lives but also increase the productivity of their teams. The sharing of strategies and the continuous adaptation of practices have been essential to the success of this approach.

One of the pillars of this transformation is the recognition of the importance of clear boundaries and effective time management. Strategies such as creating periods of uninterrupted focus and proactively managing emails and meetings allow leaders to focus on their priorities. These pioneering leaders also discovered that taking planned and deliberate vacations can be revitalizing and, in fact, increase their effectiveness at work.

According to a study conducted by Eagle Hill Consulting across several companies, nearly two-thirds of all employees (64%) agreed: work-life balance is the most important factor in defining overall job satisfaction. Surprisingly, work-life balance ranked ahead of job security (59%) and compensation (54%). Above all, employees indicated that they would stay (or leave) to balance work and personal life. Work-life balance was considered the primary motivator, identifying poor work-life balance as the number one element that would make these employees leave their current company, even above compensation.

image: Eagle Hill Consulting

Finally, some good examples of leadership demonstrate how a planned and conscious approach to balancing work and family can be successful. Today, it is possible to prioritize family and workplace flexibility, allowing leaders to have a meaningful career without sacrificing their personal lives. This kind of planning and clarity of priorities is essential to maintaining balance over time; leaders need to learn new ways of working with their teams and redefine their own beliefs about work.

image: Smartsheet

The idea that success in the business world requires extreme personal sacrifices is being challenged by a new generation of leaders who are redefining what it means to be effective. By promoting a culture of balance, these leaders are not only improving their own lives but also creating a more productive and healthier environment for everyone around them. At a time of significant challenges in managing people and organizations, workplace flexibility and work-life balance are fundamental foundations for increasing productivity.

Article written by Sérgio Almeida, in partnership with Vida Económica.