I’ve been asked to join some international calls coming up to help support some customers. In theory, not a big deal. The time differences will be a bit of a pain (I’ll need to be available later into the evening.) There may just be a few of these. But it could start to ramp up to more. Not sure yet.
Reason I bring this up to the network is I have been trying to block off my calendar more these days. Set boundaries, stick to it. If I have to work later on some prep, that’s on me. But now this has come up, and it’s directly impacting my calendar - and taking away from evening personal time.
I’m going to join these calls. I feel valued to be asked. It’s a positive.
But curious how others feel about addressing this, or not. Should I consider mentioning this in my next 1 on 1? Or hold off and see if it starts to happen more often before pointing it out?
I think my points will land well. And be understood. But I haven’t had meetings this late booked before, so it’s a new territory, and I want to get some thoughts on boundaries out there. Just not if it’s going to ruffle feathers over having to commit to just a few meetings.
Anybody have experiences where they brought up work-life boundaries up? Advice to get the point across without coming off like I’m not a team player? Or advice on why not to say anything at all and just do it?
Thanks
Hey @tim.hartwell
what is your role?
Throughout my career, I have worked global accounts and have been accustomed to “off work hours” calls/meetings.
Since I am an early bird, I will typically schedule my overseas meetings in the mornings. There have been a few times when I had to take calls at 10:00 pm PT…but those are rare.
I have also learned through the years, folks in EMEA and APAC understand the timezone difference and are very accommodating. Unfortunately someone has to take a meeting during a goofy hour.
That said, for me, when working global accounts it is just part of the role that you may need to work outside of normal work hours.
The way I offset this, is that I will take a little “me time” during the day and block my calendar out so I can get “me time”.
The thing about sales is that your results are pretty clear cut. You are either closing business or your are not. We gotta do what we gotta do.
When I was managing a team, I told them I don’t care if you work 2 hours a day or around the clock. As long as you are using your time wisely and closing business I don’t care.
Truth be told, if they are working around the clock, I would be concerned and would have to dig into it, but I think you get the point.
The guidance for you…you manage your calendar that works for you today. Tomorrow could be different. Don’t be a slave to your calendar and don’t be afraid to tell your customer that time does not work. Just because a customer tells you to jump doesn’t mean you need to jump.
Now, if you are in a support role…very different story and you have to be available to provide support for your customer.
Hope this helps!
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Yeah, I’m in a support role on this one. Which, again, makes it a positive. I can help advise where needed in the conversations.
But I really like the trade-off you suggested. Block off other slots for the extra after hours. And then see if it escalates into more of these int’l meetings.
I’ll hold on making a thing of it for now. It’s definitely on my mind to get better at boundaries, and you’re right… at the end of the day we gotta do what we gotta do. And this is a good opportunity to support, so we’ll see how it goes.
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Good topic. Important to remember we’re all humans. Everyone wants to do a great job, be successful, and roll up their sleeves as a team player. Each person has a personal life, too. Gotta keep an eye on that blanace, and make sure you establish a lifestyle that’s sustainable and healthy in the long run.
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