Separating Work from Life

Often times, I wondered why I had to listen to team members as they make excuses concerning situations like car, wife, family, health, money, etc.

That’s personal life, I thought. This is not bringing value to the table.

I then planned that for one week, I would say “NO” to any personal request. Actually, to say it with a sweet smile.

The test week came, and I needed only one day to see the impact of trying to remove personal life from work.

“Please I would like to see the doctor by 3p.m. today,” he said.
“My dear, please can you reschedule? We have deadlines to meet today. Won’t 5p.m. suit all of us?”
Reluctantly he replied, “Alright, I will reschedule.”

We did not meet the deadline. Team member was demotivated. He spent hours trying to get through to the doctor. He had a frown all through as he went about his work. The zeal and passion was no longer there. I tried to think of other times when I had accepted his reason to take an hour. Even if we missed a deadline, he was sure to put in extra hours to make up for the time lost.

Yes work is work and life is life, but we cannot separate these areas entirely. Someone who has personal issues may carry them to the workplace. This would ultimately affect his output at work.

I am still not in support of people taking excuses during working hours to solve personal problems. However, if it is for a genuine cause, there is no reason why such excuse should not be granted. And to take a step further, as “Manager” it was not enough to grant a request, but to ask about the progress of the personal issue. Has it been solved? Is everything okay? Knowing that someone cares could give some motivation at work.

We cannot separate work from life. Or can we?