Being back in startup mode means that I have the joy and privilege of getting to build amazing, awe-inspiring teams again. As I’m doing more recruiting, it seems that work-life balance is more of a priority than it’s ever been with prospective candidates. Here are my thoughts after spending time diving back into recruitment.
I can affirm that work-life balance is a value worth pursuing. I hope that we can all agree on that point, regardless of where you sit on the org chart.
I think in the end however, we often get misled by what work-life balance really means.
Does it help to work 9-5 when work is a miserable part of your day?
It seems working normal hours is what’s synonymous with this idea of “balance.” Does leaving the office at 5 really help when during your working hours, there’s no trust or psychological safety within your team? Or perhaps when your employer gives you the impression that you are just another cog in the profit wheel? I’m almost positive in such situations, burn out will likely still occur.
I can affirm that work-life balance is achieved in part by having a manageable workload . But I also maintain that it’s so much more than that. When you build a culture where people can thrive, I think the number of hours you work all of a sudden can become irrelevant.
Maybe I’m an idealist. Working long hours can definitely burn you out. However I suspect it’s more common that burn out is related to working normal hours in toxic cultures, or in cultures where profit comes before people.
In ABA, there are many choices when it comes to where you work, so make sure you land a job with a company you love. Work in a setting where you are valued and your values are aligned with the organization. Work where you will get pushed to be a better behavior analyst every single day. Work where you can achieve work-life balance, not only by working manageable hours, but also by working in an organization where you are both safe and a part of something much greater than yourself.
And if you’re looking to land your dream job, reach out. We would love to have a conversation about what we are doing at Maraca.
Read more about my views on culture in my blog post "How to Build a High Performing Culture"