James Watt, the co-founder and owner of the BrewDog bar and brewery chain, made some divisive comments earlier this year that sparked a debate about work-life-balance.
He rejected the idea and stated that “the entire concept of work-life-balance was invented by people that hate the work they do.” Watt instead advocates for work life integration, a method that encourages a full blend between professional and personal lives.
His unique position as co-founder and CEO of a successful business has certainly influenced his perspective. It’s easy to understand that business plays a major role in his personal life. It seems reasonable to use the phrase “work-life integration” when describing what works best for him in terms of his professional and personal experience.
Switching off is important
This is a serious problem, though, when the case in question is treated as if it were universal and if statements are made that only people who dislike their job would want to separate work from non-work related activities. This approach fails to take into account the diversity of today’s workplace, and its diverse needs and expectations. This approach ignores the fact that individuals achieve balance and wellbeing differently, and this impacts their productivity and engagement.
Many people love their job and are committed to its goals. But they also know the importance of switching off and being fully present with the people around them and doing things that make them happy.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that linearity is the enemy of innovation, creativity and high performance. In this context, it is widely accepted that time spent on non-work-related activities can be viewed as an investment that will help sustain personal performance. Business owners should not undermine such an investment.
Humans are not designed to be “always on” like computers. This can result from work-life integration, when the life of the employee is being integrated with work. This is not an error, but a fundamental part of our physiology. Our ancestry has ensured that we have been wired to perform repeatable survival sprints rather than marathons. Physical and mental renewal are therefore essential to personal sustainability.
The larger picture
The concept of work-life balance is not a new idea, but it can be viewed as relevant to our time, given our constant connectivity. Performance sustainability depends on the ability of switching focus regularly. This means a deliberate, and even strategic, separation from work and non-work related activities.
It is important to remember that the pursuit of a good work-life equilibrium should not be motivated by a desire for more leisure time at the expense or work. It should instead be considered an important part of employee self-management and leadership. Employees can use their full potential at work by creating the time and space for them to take a step back, connect to a bigger picture, and renew personal resources.
In the months to come, the pressure on businesses to do more with less or the same resources will likely remain the same as last year. The current trends indicate that these pressures are increasing. Burnout statistics also do not appear to be decreasing, indicating that traditional methods of maximising productivity don’t yield sustainable results.
It’s time to recharge
It is more important than ever for organisations to recognise the importance of renewal, both in terms of leaders and their teams. It is not weakness to allocate time for self-care and recovery. Instead, it is a strategic investment that will help you achieve long-term sustainability.
We need to redefine the conversation so that we focus on balance. This will allow us to acknowledge the true productivity of individuals who are mentally prepared, empowered and recharged to perform their best.
The key is to choose what suits your needs, values and circumstances. Wellbeing is not a one-size fits all solution. Understanding that what works for one individual may not work as well for another is crucial for both performance sustainability and professional and personal fulfillment.
No matter if you prefer a clear separation between your work and private life, or a blended approach that blends the two, it is important to keep in mind that maintaining physical and mental well-being is essential to a successful career.
