Modeling Work-Life Balance

Forbes

02-07-2025

As Kumon's assistant VP of franchise development, Angelo Chavez leads market research, expansion, recruitment, franchisee support & resale.
Pay attention. The importance of work-life balance is growing.
Employees want more flexibility in their work, better stress management, less burnout and improved delineations between their work and personal lives. The same should be modeled by business leaders whose aim is to improve working conditions for their teams, increase retention and improve productivity.
As an assistant vice president for franchise development, work-life balance also means I need the right people in key positions to manage the day-to-day operations so I can get time to myself to recharge. This isn't just about splitting your time, but about how you plan and the intentional decisions you make to prioritize well-being for both you and your team.
A Shifting Work Culture
This balance between the personal and professional parts of life is all about finding a rhythm that allows teams to be productive and fulfilled, but without getting overwhelmed. As a leader, respecting employees' personal time, whether with their families or exploring personal interests, should be at the forefront in planning.
Recent research supports this growing sentiment: For the first time in more than two decades, workers listed work-life balance ahead of pay as a key motivator, according to Randstad's annual Workmonitor study. The study surveyed over 26,000 workers throughout Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The report's findings show employees prioritize personalization, community and future-ready skilling.
Employers need to monitor this growing trend or suffer the consequences. About 45% indicated they have campaigned for better work conditions, while about 44% indicated they quit a job because they thought their workplace was toxic.
Like many companies, mine has adapted to the needs of our team members by taking steps to create a work environment that supports their well-being. When I first started, these types of programs didn't exist. Now, they're an integral part of the company culture, offering everything from stress and anxiety reduction workshops to team-building activities, outside speakers and other events that focus on stress management and relaxation. I've learned that companies that recognize the importance of mental and physical health in maintaining a productive and happy workforce can help the company thrive and be more successful.
Modeling Expectations
Modeling the balance between work and personal life has been a challenge throughout my career. First, it was with smartphones giving us the ability to check texts and emails outside the office.
When I checked my phone, I felt like it helped in my career journey. I was the associate who was always on, responsive and available practically all the time. But there were moments where I felt like it was crossing the line. So, I tried different tactics to prevent work from encroaching on my personal life. At one point, I was leaving my phone in the car, so I wasn't tempted to check my messages. But that didn't last, and through self-reflection, I was able to create that barrier.
Later on, the pandemic forced us to work from home. That really blurred the lines on where work stopped and home life began. Most people weren't prepared to work from home and had no idea how to balance those demands. It took a lot of work, but we adjusted to make the change. It's part of our company's culture.
Recently, an annual cycling club trip this spring led me to the Japanese countryside. Outside Kyoto, I was cycling on roads tourists don't normally see. That meant answering emails, taking calls and attending meetings wasn't remotely possible from the confines of my bike saddle.
I don't take much vacation time each year, so I made sure to use it to recharge, reset and have fun with friends. That meant modeling my work-life balance.
I meticulously planned my time off to ensure there is no disruption to the team or the franchise owners we work with. Before I left, I created a message in my email signature letting people know I would be out of town during that time. Then, I reviewed plans with my team and our department heads, updated voicemails and out-of-office replies.
This careful planning showed my team how to effectively manage their responsibilities and prepare for their own time off, and it helped foster a culture where everyone feels encouraged to rest and rejuvenate without impacting our work commitments. Prioritizing my time off demonstrated to them the importance of taking breaks and maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
My advice: Put 100% of your time with the people in your life when you're not at work. Give that to them. They deserve it. You deserve it.
Commit To Balance
Work-life balance is an ongoing commitment to yourself and those around you. For me, it's about continuously adjusting and reflecting on personal and professional priorities. From a leadership standpoint, it's also about respecting those boundaries with my team members.
For anyone looking to achieve work-life balance, I think the key is in the planning. Life is more than work, and we need to recognize that. If you're trying to spend time with the people in your life while you still have an eye on work, it's terrible. Make time for personal activities, set boundaries and prioritize your well-being. By taking steps like this, you and your employees can enhance professional performance and live a life that is more meaningful, satisfying and intentional.
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