The idea of work-life balance is something I’ve never subscribed too, not just because it sets out something I believe not only to be unattainable, but also limiting to the person. Firstly, we all only have ONE life, and work, for most of us, is a big part of it. Rather than attempt to create an equilibrium I believe that if we can more effectively integrate our work, social, family and personal responsibilities, then the harmony we will achieve will ultimately make us more effective and successful in all aspects of our life. So, forget balance, drive work and home closer together for better work-life integration!

I own multiple businesses in different time zones around the World, and lead these teams with my husband and partner, Graeme, so creating a divide between work and ‘home’ life would never work. I’ve got friends who tell me they don’t talk to their husband about work, and have rules that work doesn’t enter their home, but I don’t understand how ignoring something that consumes almost a quarter of your life (40hr week versus 168hrs in a 7-day period) represents a healthy life, or relationship. For me, it just wouldn’t work.

I respect my team’s time, both in and out of work, and encourage everyone to take time away to enjoy their families, however I also highly value their contribution to our business, so if something comes up that requires their attention urgently, I would contact them, similarly, regardless of what I was doing, if my team needs me, I’ll make space to connect and I believe this has created a mutual respect not only for ‘personal’ time, but also for the contribution of the individual, and their value to the organisation, and each other.

I believe in getting to know the people I work with on a personal level, it lets me create deeper connections, and also understand their motivations and limitations. Our group of companies creates better integration of our people’s interests and priorities inside and outside of work, as we talk opening about family, socialise together, and help with personal challenges just the same way we would support with work problems. After all, we only have ONE life, and constantly switching between work and home mode doesn’t really benefit anyone over the long-term.

The modern workplace has made great steps towards addressing this with workplace wellness programmes, better family policies and more open communication styles becoming commonplace. Getting a new sofa delivered? No problem, work from home, but when the next team meeting is scheduled, I’d expect in-person attendance to also not be a problem.

For me, respect, trust, understanding and flexibility are key. For example, I need to get my steps in daily, so if my schedule didn’t allow for exercise in the morning, grabbing an hour at lunch is ideal. I’m happy to take calls whilst doing my 10k, or answering e-mails from my walking desk, by integrating things that were traditionally ‘personal’ activities into my work-day, I have become more efficient, and this improves my overall productivity and the business benefits from this.

Work-life integration, often seen as an evolution of work-life balance, focusses on a better synergy between professional and personal responsibilities, and it makes total sense. I expect my team members to drop their work if their family needs them, and I’d support wherever I could, but this only works when the pendulum can also swing the other way when work tasks become critical and urgent.

Better integration works for our people, and for Graeme and I personally. Our business benefits from the extra efforts we, and our team put in when required, and for creating the space for work tasks out-with the traditional ‘working day’. Similarly, our people are more present and connected to their personal goals and responsibilities. Work-life integration acknowledges the increasingly blurred lines between the professional and personal, and creates a more efficient framework for the natural ebbs and flows between work and home priorities, putting trust in the individual to adapt as required. So ditch the crusade towards balance, and seek to drive work and home priorities closer together, for great harmony and success.