“All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a very dull person”

“All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a very dull person” but in today’s busy and hectic world it is often difficult to get the work/life balance right. In any business a work force that is happy and content contributes enormously to the achieving of the strategic organisational goals and corporate objectives.

It is critical that no matter what business you are in, you must devote some of your time to your family and social life. Never forget that you would not be in the position you are, or as successful as you are without the backing of your family, friends and colleagues. At times work will take over your life and it is easy to forget or disassociate yourself with the outside world. Spend time with your family because children grow up too quickly and partners also get fed up playing second fiddle to work. It is much easier for a family to understand and accept the pressures of your work if they feel valued and know that when you are able to you spend quality time with them.

Likewise if your staff are required to spend time away from home travelling or at other locations around the country, remember that they need time to adjust to being away and also need the opportunity to be with their families as well. Be compassionate wherever possible and although work often has to come first, occasionally relax that requirement and allow the family to take centre stage. Your rewards for such considerations will be immense, if not in the monetary sense.

It comes down to the basic requirement of keeping your work force happy, loyal and gaining their respect. If your work force has a happy home life the chances are that they will perform better at work, therefore you gain in every way. When family members are away from home for a significant period, try and arrange for someone (if you do not feel able) to give their partner a call and see if there is anything that can be done to make things easier and ease the strain of separation. A simple courtesy call can make the world of difference to the way the family view you and your company.

A good manager takes the time to get to know their team, taking an interest in them as people and not just for their productivity. Achieving a satisfactory work/life balance makes for a first rate team, where everyone is at ease and output is high. The manager who leads by example, caring for team members and his or her own family alike inspires loyalty and respect which reaps abundant rewards.

Leadership – Empowering You and Your Team

Warner Burke (Executive Power, Jossey-Bass 1986) suggests that “leaders tend to be those who have sufficient presence and self belief to be able to recognise the many ways of controlling and directing situations, from a position of clear understanding of themselves”.
A good leader needs many and diverse skills to enable employees to perform to high standards to ensure organisational goals and corporate objectives are achieved.
It is important for a good leader to be able to motivate team members. The ability to think positively and practically is essential. If the leader is negative and unreasonable members of staff will be dragged down and not achieve the productivity required. Forward looking and a good internal ‘SAT NAV’ will stand the whole team in good stead for the road forward and reaching the ultimate ‘destination’ will be guaranteed.
During the ‘journey’, a good leader needs to be observant. Recognising the strengths and talents of individual team members is necessary so that they can be used to make the task more effective and easier. The ability to listen and be open-minded is also an essential attribute. If employees are confident and comfortable putting their ideas and thoughts forward problems can be dealt with and solutions found without difficulty. It is vital to use the experience within the team to accomplish the task at hand. Respect and loyalty are fundamental qualities and the first rate leader remembers that this runs up and down. Encouraging each person to develop their own particular skills will make them feel valued. It will also mean that the leader can delegate tasks in the full knowledge that they will be expertly executed. A good leader needs the vision to see the plan through and express it in such a way that the rest of the team knows what they have to do as individuals.
A leader has to have confidence, knowledge and understanding of what is expected. Up-to date information on trends and jargon will allow the team to be guided from a position of strength. However a talented leader will remember that knowledge is not always about having all the answers but also knowing who to ask or where to look for a solution.
Stress at work is on the increase and a high calibre leader will monitor team members to ensure that stress does not become detrimental either to the individual or the group. In many cases a sympathetic ear or a piece of advice can sort the problem immediately but sometimes it takes a little longer. Empathy and compassion are vital attributes, however the ability to recognise when an individual may be better off in a different role or perhaps a new post is crucial for the benefit of all concerned. It is imperative to discover the cause of stress and find an amicable and practical solution for all parties.
In conclusion the role of a good leader is to have the vision to plan and execute strategic organisational goals and corporate objectives using the skills and competencies of those within the company. To recognise and nurture talent to equip employees to take on responsibilities whilst monitoring levels of stress and to encourage honest and open discussion within teams to enable successful completion of the task.

Getting the Balance Right

Anais Nin the French author said “The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself.”

Over the years I have spent a lot of time away from home and my family; sometimes as much as six months of any one year. On the Presentation Team I was away Monday to Friday nine months of each of the two years I was on the Team. Such arrangements can and often do deeply affect family life. It is critical that no matter what business you are in, you must devote some of your time to your family and social life. Never forget that you would not be in the position you are in, or as successful as you are without the backing of your family, friends and colleagues. At times work will take over your life and it is easy to forget or disassociate yourself with the outside world. Spend time with your family because children grow up too quickly and partners also get fed up playing second fiddle to work.

Likewise if your staff are required to spend time away from home travelling or at other locations around the country, remember that they need time to adjust to being away and also need the opportunity to be with their families as well. Be compassionate wherever possible and although work often has to come first, occasionally relax that requirement and allow family to take centre stage. Your rewards for such considerations will be immense, if not in the monetary sense.

Once again it comes back to keeping your work force happy, loyal and gaining their respect. Also, if your work force has a happy home life the chances are that they will perform better at work, therefore you gain in every way. When family members are away from home for a significant period, try and arrange for someone (if you do not feel able) to give their partner a call and see if they need anything. A simple courtesy call can make a world of difference to the way the family view you and your company.