Some managers just seem to get it. They instinctively know how to balance the tricky tight rope between professional and personal. They maintain respectful friendships with their employees. And, they realize when they’re giving too much or too little to their jobs.
In your career, you’ve probably met at least one leader who knows how to maintain boundaries between work and life – maybe you worked for one in the past and they inspired you to become a leader, or perhaps it’s a current colleague whom you admire for stable and effective relationship building with the team. Unfortunately, MBA programs don’t offer a course on Boundaries 101 and there is no “one size fits all” policy. However, as a leader, there are several critical areas you need to think about when creating your own policy, so you don’t cross a line you’ll regret.
Socializing Outside of Work
One of the best ways to get to know your employees and co-workers is to socialize with them outside of work. From an offsite lunch to a teambuilding outing to the company Christmas party, when you mingle with your team members away from the structure of work, you gain more insight into their personalities, goals, and passions. But, the same can be said for them too. And, while it’s good to have a close-knit team, sometimes too much information isn’t a good thing. So, when you do meet outside of work, make sure you socialize with everyone, don’t pick favorites, and always remember that you’re still their leader and should act accordingly.
Monitoring Your Technology
Thanks to technology, you and your employees are only a quick text, email, or phone call away. Whether it’s a text from your kids during work hours or emails on your smart phone while you’re at the dinner table, it’s almost impossible for work and home not to mix. But, that doesn’t mean that one has to consume the other. Set your boundaries and communicate them to your employees. Do you want your team members to text or call you in case of an emergency? What constitutes an emergency? Is a text appropriate to report a sick day? What are your company’s rules in regards to personal use of company-owned phones or computers? Keep in mind, your employees will take their cue from you. So if you’re comfortable texting them at midnight, be ready for them to return the favor.
Networking Through Social Media
Who would have ever thought that “friending” your employees would be such a huge dilemma? But, thanks to the explosion of Facebook and other social media sites, clicking that “accept” button can’t be taken too lightly, especially with the recent lawsuits regarding employees’ use of social media both at work and at home. There is no perfect solution. Some professionals don’t connect with any business colleagues on social media sites, while others try to increase the number of networking opportunities to the max. A mid-ground response could be to keep Facebook for personal friends and LinkedIn for professional connections. Whatever your decision, just make sure it matches your company’s culture, your employees know your expectations, and, also, be conscientious of what you’re posting.
There is no clear-cut way to balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life; there are too many variables, such as your leadership style, your employees’ personalities, and your company’s culture. But, one general principle does apply – your team needs a leader first and a friend second. So, make sure you scrutinize these three areas in your work life to ensure you maintain boundaries for your sake and for the sake of your team.
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