Disconnect to Recharge: The Importance of Work-Life Balance in Effective Leadership

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A recent study suggests that turning off notifications and disconnecting from work after hours may lead to better leadership skills. The study conducted by scientists from the University of Florida, the University of Arizona, and Florida State University revealed that managers who were able to disconnect from work at home were more refreshed the following day, identified as effective leaders, and helped their employees stay on target better than those who spent their off hours worrying about work. The research surveyed managers and their employees at U.S. businesses in 2019 and 2022, assessing their ability to disconnect from work when at home the night before, their level of energy, and how strongly they identified as a leader in the morning at work. Employees rated their bosses on their ability to lead their teams.

The study found that less-experienced leaders were especially prone to becoming ineffective if they spent their time focusing on their jobs at home. The key to effective leadership in the office may be a better work-life balance. Klodiana Lanaj, a professor in UF’s Warrington College of Business who led the research, said, “if you want to be an effective leader at work, leave work at work. This is particularly important for inexperienced leaders, as they seem to benefit the most from recovery experiences when at home.”

The study suggests that businesses should help their leaders recharge at home by reducing after-hours emailing and expectations for on-call work. Businesses can also offer tech solutions like setting phones to disable notifications after a certain hour or leaving work devices in a dedicated office. Finding methods to decompress from work as much as possible can help individuals achieve a better work-life balance. Lanaj suggests starting small, such as not checking work email after a certain time in the evening. By prioritizing a healthy work-life balance, managers can become better leaders and help their employees stay on track.

Re-reported from the story originally published in Dailyhunt