Lead-HER-Ship

Posts Tagged ‘work/life balance’

I  am part of the pathfinder generation of women.   I began my professional career at a time when women were leaving the home and moving into responsible positions in the business world.   One of the many struggles for women was to balance heavy work demands with demands from family, children and personal life.  This was largely uncharted territory.  How do you make it work?  It was certainly a struggle for me.  I was president of a growing business, married to a successful husband whose schedule gave us both opportunities to  travel, had 2 small children and aging parents.  And no real role models to learn from.

But there were some women along the way who offered me simple lessons that allowed me to find my way.  I will share just 2 examples from women who were further along the path than I was, that were making it work.   My hope is that you will see how a simple conversation can impact another’s life.  Never underestimated the power and influence you may have on others.

Edie Seashore

Edie is a well known consultant and teacher.  She is also known for her shaping and involvement in NTL Institute and the whole T Group and laboratory education methodology.  I attended a workshop and was impressed with her clarity of values and priorities.  I identified with her.  She was obviously successful in a male dominated world; she worked with her husband, she had small children and yet she seemed to manage it all.  In a conversation at dinner she was talking about her busy life and said a simple truth that struck a cord with me.  She said “I have one rule, family first”. I had never heard anyone say this and with such clarity and conviction.  It stuck with me.  That was 30 years ago.   We have built a culture around that in our company.  It is one of the tenents on which the company is built.  If there is a family emergency that takes precedence over all else.  That is one of our values.  Life is lived in language and having the words really has helped me advocate and adhere to this value.  It articulates what I have always believed.

Deborah Szekely

Deborah was a pioneer in the health and wellness industry.  She created and owned 2 very well known spas.  One in Mexico called Rancho La Puerta and another in southern CA called the Golden Door.  She ran the business and had a family.  I was speaking one evening at the Golden Door and Deborah happened to be there.  We had dinner together and I was sharing with her the pressures of building a business and maintaining any personal life.  She stopped me half way through my tirade and said simply  “Margie, you need an Annie” I asked  “What is an Annie?” She said “My Annie is my personal assistant-not assistant at work-my personal assistant.” Curious I asked what a personal assistant did.  She said things like pick up people at the airport, pack for me, help with business entertainment and so forth.  A week later after I received Annie’s job description in the mail from Deborah I hired an assistant for 15 hours a week and it has changed my life.  For example Ken’s mom was moving out to SD in two weeks.  Carolyn (my Annie) checked in on her every day.  That was one less thing preying on my mind. Deborah gave me permission to meet my own standards of being mother, wife and professional.  Having an assistant took stress out of my life.

Both of these women shared what was working for them.  One gave me language and the other permission.  Both cared and were willing to share!

Enjoy the journey

About the author:

Dr. Margie Blanchard has earned a reputation worldwide as a compelling motivational speaker, an accomplished management consultant and trainer, a best-selling author, and an entrepreneur. She was the corecipient with her husband, Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, of the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Cornell University.

As cofounder of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, she works diligently with Ken, developing the company into one of the premier management consulting and training companies in the world. Dr. Blanchard served as president of the company from 1987–1997, leading its rapid growth and
success.

Margie now heads the firm’s unique Office of the Future—a think tank charged with shaping the future of both the training industry and the company.