How managers can achieve sustainable performance at work
Struggling with work life balance as a manager? Discover practical strategies for sustainable high performance and team well being in this episode.
How can managers achieve sustainable high performance without relying on work life balance?
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What this episode covers
If work feels like it is swallowing everything else, this episode offers a fresh perspective on managing the blurred lines between work and life. Jimmy Burroughes talks with Lee Eldridge, founder of Cognitive Athlete, about how modern work demands and constant connectivity have reshaped what balance means. They explore practical steps to manage stress, avoid burnout and sustain high performance by adopting lessons from elite sports. This episode is ideal for leaders seeking realistic strategies to regain control over their time and wellbeing in today’s fast-paced work environment.
Who this is for: General managers and senior operators struggling with work consuming their personal time and seeking practical ways to manage stress and boundaries.
Key takeaways
- Constant connectivity has changed work dynamics, making clear boundaries between work and life harder to maintain.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the integration of work into daily life, challenging traditional work-life balance notions.
- Managing stress and pacing yourself are essential to avoid burnout and sustain high performance over time.
- High-performance sports principles can inform better leadership and personal management in business environments.
- Shifting from a strict work-life balance mindset to viewing work as part of life helps create more sustainable routines.
Struggling with work life balance as a manager is a common challenge, especially in today’s always on work environment. In this episode of The High Performance Leader, Jimmy Burroughes explores why traditional work life balance is no longer the right target and what managers can do to support sustainable high performance and well being for themselves and their teams.
What you will learn
- Understand why work life balance is outdated for modern managers
- Discover actionable strategies to prevent burnout and manage stress
- Apply high performance sports principles to business leadership
- Learn how to integrate work into life for better team performance
This episode features Lee Eldridge, founder and performance director of Cognitive Athlete, who brings insights from working with both elite athletes and senior executives.
Episode highlights
- (1:29) Who is Lee, and what is the work life balance
- (3:18) Historical changes in work dynamics and the impact of constant connectivity
- (5:38) The accelerated discussion on work integration due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- (9:43) Managing stress, avoiding burnout, and the importance of pacing oneself
- (15:31) Bridging the gap between high performance sports models and business
- (18:56) The importance of leading yourself
- (21:09) Ideal clients for Lee and the concept of mass market personalization
- (26:29) Lee's key takeaway: Shifting from work life balance to understanding work as part of life
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Get the Quick-Win PackQuestions managers ask about this episode
How can I stop work from taking over my personal life?
Lee Eldridge suggests shifting your perspective to see work as part of life rather than something separate. This mindset helps you set more realistic boundaries and pace yourself to avoid burnout.
What are effective ways to manage stress in a high-pressure role?
Pacing yourself and recognising signs of stress early are crucial. Applying high-performance sports techniques, such as planned recovery and focus on wellbeing, can help sustain long-term performance.
How has remote work affected work-life balance?
Remote work and constant connectivity, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have blurred boundaries between work and personal time, making traditional balance harder to achieve.
Can sports performance principles improve leadership at work?
Yes, Lee Eldridge highlights how principles from elite sports, like self-leadership and recovery management, can enhance decision-making and resilience in business leadership roles.