Work-Life Integration for Women

BY ELLIE KEUM

Work-life balance. WNYC

Achieving an equilibrium between work and life can be a challenging task for many in the workforce. Women in particular navigate this balance with unique considerations. Here are some strategies that women often implement to integrate work and life successfully. 

Priorities and Time Management

Successful women leaders emphasize the importance of setting priorities and managing their time effectively. They delegate tasks to members of their team and focus specifically on high-impact activities themselves. By efficiently handling work responsibilities, leaders can dedicate time to family and self-care, fostering a holistic sense of fulfillment across all aspects of their lives.

Adapting

The ability to adapt is crucial in womens’ efforts to maintain a harmonious relationship between their working hours and time off. Women in business are often surrounded by questions and requests regarding their businesses, attending to their companies’ needs when required. However, these leaders do not always have to be present. The growing presence of technology is an efficient tool to foster connections. Virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and digital communication channels have become instrumental in leading a company. Such adaptability allows women to lead effectively and efficiently while accommodating the many facets of personal life. 

Woman on Zoom. University of Maryland

Teamwork

Another support system women leaders can utilize is the team of people they work with. For someone like me who is extremely initiative-oriented, I enjoy leading others in tasks. However, this can easily lead to burnout. Although you may feel as if you need to manage every detail of your business, it is okay to ask for help. Surrounding yourself with a reliable team and having a supportive network of friends and family is essential for the balance between work and personal life.

When asked about her thoughts regarding cooperation between co-workers, Nabiha Rahim, a 15-year-old student at the Hotchkiss School who is interested in law, said “I think communicating openly with [your] team is really important. A leader needs to communicate directly so the others know what is expected. This communication, if done correctly, can really take weight off of a leader’s shoulders by allotting all members of a team work that one person would have done.”

I completely agree with Rahim. In this day and age, it is important to make time for personal matters while in a pressured environment. As a teenager observing women in business, a career I seek to pursue, I believe grasping these strategies and using them throughout high school and college will aid me as I mesh into broader society.