Managing Chaos: 3 tips to balance your business and board roles

Life feels like it’s getting busier, doesn’t it? With all the commitments we have to our work and home lives, fitting in a demanding board role might seem like an almost impossible task. But it can be done very successfully, as long as you have the right approach and mindset. For those that struggle to find equanimity between the boardroom and business, here are the three best ways to regain your balance.

  1. Be Practical

To maintain success in all aspects of your life, whether it’s on a board, in your job or at home, you must set expectations for yourself. There’s no point taking on more than you can handle, because when you inevitably run yourself into the ground you’ll end up with a whole lot of disappointment. So first, understand your ability. Whether you work better under time constraints or at an easy-going pace, knowing how much you can handle helps you recognise when you’re taking on too much. Second, know your priorities. Are you putting your time towards the things that mean the most to you? Speaking of time, how much of that can you actually give to the organisation in order to be an effective director? Every board is different, and you should have a full understanding of what’s expected of you before you take on any role.

2. Be Honest

If you don’t think you can maintain the demands of your board role, there’s no harm in voicing those concerns. It’s far better to own up to a lack of time rather than trying to find some, because you’ll only end up falling behind. And while you might feel like you’re letting people down by admitting to struggles, you will only cause more drama by keeping quiet about it. Don’t let your ego get in the way. Communicate any concerns you have to your employer and/or chair of the board. Failure to do this can damage the board, the organisation, and your reputation. People cannot read your mind and know you’re struggling. You’ll gain more respect from your honesty than you will from trying and failing to keep the pace.

3. Be Strict with Distractions

Is it possible that we aren’t actually busier, we just have more distractions? Think about it: we are constantly distracted by something. Whether it’s the arrival of an email, the ‘ping!’ of a smartphone notification or a noisy toddler pulling at your sleeve, distractions are infiltrating every aspect of our lives – even while we sleep. So, do something radical – get rid of the unnecessary noise. Whether you turn your phone off during work hours, avoid checking emails between 9am and 5pm or having technology-free weekends, taking away the chance to be distracted allows you to focus fully on the task at hand.

Don’t allow life to get so chaotic it becomes unenjoyable. Everything you do should bring you some kind of joy, and if you find that something is squeezing too much time and energy from you with little return, consider removing it from your life entirely. 

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The Unprofessional Professional: How diversity can shape the boardroom