Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance Through Communication

When it comes to running a business, you have to realize the value of effective communication. After all, there’s not much to talk about (literally!) if we exclude communication from signing contracts and reaching out to potential brand partners.

But as much as it helps you get ahead in the high-tension and fast-paced corporate ecosystem of today, effective communication also helps keep you grounded on the things that truly matter: personal development, family, leisure, and everything else that’s worth all the stress you go through while at work.

You only have to learn how you can use communication to develop a healthy work-life rhythm. But how exactly can you do that?

Here are a few things to help get you started.

1. Find space for leisurely talk
   The office can be a bland place to be in. Everyone wears a stern look and there’s so much work to do that no one’s going to waste even a second on small talk. But small talk is healthy for managers and employees alike. There’s nothing healthy about sitting at a dull cubicle all day and editing reports. You have to break the cycle by initiating small talk with your employees. Simple conversations about the movies that are currently screening or new restaurants that have just opened up can lighten up the office environment.
2. Make rapport a prevailing principle
   Engagement doesn’t end with water-cooler conversations about the weather. You also need to reach out to your employees if you see them struggling. An ounce of empathy and inspiration can help boost motivation. So, when talking to employees, you may want to relate to their current situations with little anecdotes taken from your own life. This allows you to put a human face to your business and help your employees cope with issues in the office and at home.
3. Connect remotely
   Chances are, you’ll be traveling to different locations for business meetings and negotiations. But you want to be the boss who is always there to help your team pull through. That said, you should always be on call whenever there are issues that you need to be aware of. This is not the same as micro-managing, but it does help to let your employees know you’re not leaving them to their own devices. Family matters also require the same level of attention. While you’re away, make sure to connect with your spouse and your kids. A 30-minute chat over Skype should do. Just make sure to use a reliable network provider such as SMARTY Mobile to maintain a quality connection with everybody back home.
4. Be decisive and tactful
   Most people are reluctant to refuse an offer or request. At the same time, they can also be very brash with their choice of words. Indeed, being a tactful decision-maker is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. To make it work, though, you will need to be circumspect with the words you choose. In evaluating your personal and work calendars, you may have to say “no” to things that are not important enough at that time. You may also say something along the lines of “I’ll think about it” if you’re not so sure if you’re available for a certain event. Whatever the case, be firm with your decisions and give the right reasons behind them.

With the tips above, you can maintain better communication at the office and at home. Life in general will become easier from there!