Redefining Work-Life Balance: Perspectives from Women Leaders in Engineering

This is the third article in our multi-part series on "Women in Engineering Leadership," brought to you by Mouser Electronics. This series explores various facets of leadership through the lens of prominent female leaders in engineering who are paving the way toward a more inclusive industry. Each installment of this series dives into different aspects of leadership and professional development, underlining strategies, challenges, and key insights. Join us as we discuss the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women leaders redefining the engineering landscape.

 As the distinction between work and personal life has become increasingly blurred, women in engineering leadership face a silent crisis—burnout. Burnout is often characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. For women in engineering leadership, it can manifest uniquely—reflecting the high stakes of their roles and the dual pressures of professional and domestic expectations. This exhaustion is not just about being tired; it's about feeling depleted at a level that impacts one’s ability to function effectively both at work and at home.

This article focuses on the silent crisis of burnout among women in engineering leadership, examining its causes, impacts, and the innovative strategies these leaders employ to combat it. We explore personal stories and professional strategies that highlight resilience and proactive management of both career and home life.

The Road to Resilience: Combating Burnout

As the pressure to excel in their careers while juggling family responsibilities mounts, 34 percent of women feel burned out, compared to just 26 percent of men reporting the same.^[1]

The problem runs even deeper than one might initially expect. Startling new data reveal that women who have embraced the flexibility of part-time remote work are bearing the brunt of this burnout epidemic, with a shocking 38 percent of women at an even higher burnout risk. In contrast, those who work full-time from the office or home fare slightly better, at 34 percent and 31 percent respectively.^[1]

As the quest for the elusive work-life balance escalates, women in engineering are refusing to accept burnout as an inevitable consequence of their career choices. They are challenging the notion that reducing work hours or changing locations is the ultimate solution, recognizing that these temporary fixes often fall short of addressing the root cause of the problem.

Step Away and Come Back

Jacqueline Olson, head of Americas Automotive Sales at Wolfspeed, loves working. When her two kids were young, she returned to work after each was born. "I enjoyed my job and wanted to get back to work as soon as possible," says Olson. "I was working from 7:30 to 5:30 every day. When my oldest daughter was thirteen, my husband and I decided that one of us needed to be more present for the teenage years.”

Both Olson and her husband had big jobs. But after several discussions and much thinking, they decided she would be the one to take a step back for a few years. "I stopped working for five years but kept busy and learned plenty." At that time, Olson wrote a grant for the Rotary Foundation, volunteered, and was available to help with the kids' needs. 

Women in engineering leadership have to demonstrate exceptional skill in balancing the demands of their professional roles with the needs of their personal lives, setting a powerful example of achieving fulfillment in both arenas.

But the fear Olson felt from taking time off was overwhelming. "I worried I wouldn't be able to return when the time was right," says Olson. "I had so much fear that I would be left behind in my career, but I knew that being with my daughters was the priority at the time. When it was time to return, I found a role as an individual contributor. Then I worked up the ranks and caught up," says Olson. 

She advises others in the same position, "Don't think your life is over if you stop working for some time, even in an engineering role. You can still learn so much while you're away and utilize it when it’s time to return. It's okay to step away, and it's okay to come back."

Take Care of Your Mindset

Jane Yun, principal system architect at TE Connectivity, believes that the first step in achieving work-life balance is truly reflecting on what you like to do. "The work we do should inspire us," says Yun. “Do you enjoy what you're doing? If not, you need to reflect and think about what you appreciate the most and what you want to do with your time. You can't achieve balance without clearly understanding what you like to do." 

"To find the right balance of work, you must have a balanced mindset," continues Yun. She suggests blocking time when you’re done with a big project so you can reset before starting the next big project. And as a leader, she says, you should remind others to do the same. 

Leaders should also ensure their team knows how to balance their work. "Tell your team to take care of their mindset," says Yun. They need to look at their balance and figure out how they feel. Are they motivated or exhausted? Help your team members take a step back if they need to—to rest before the next big push of productivity. “Self-awareness is key in finding the right work-life balance." 

Rely on Strategic Planning

Anisha Seli, director of design evaluation engineering at Analog Devices, juggles significant responsibilities at home and work. “Mastering the intricate dance between demanding professional roles and personal commitments, especially as a devoted mother of two boys, presents a significant challenge,” Seli admits. “My family always takes precedence, yet my career holds significant importance in my life. It’s my husband’s unwavering support that truly empowers my professional endeavors, making his role in my success absolutely vital.”

Seli balances her work and life responsibilities by relying on strategic planning. "I align each day with my children's schedules, prioritizing family, health, and work, respectively," says Seli. "This careful planning, done every evening with my husband, helps me manage a busy schedule while safeguarding my professional and personal commitments."

Seli finds joy in daily rituals with her family that help them connect. "Cooking for my family each day is a treasured and therapeutic routine that keeps me connected to what is most essential," says Seli. By being present wherever she is, Seli can give her full attention to whatever lies in front of her: "Living in the moment is a philosophy I embrace, allowing me to effectively segment and devote my full attention to family and work. I believe being present in every activity, which I believe is essential for success and fulfillment in all facets of life."

As a leader, Seli advocates for work-life balance by encouraging flexible working hours, promoting the importance of personal time, and leading by example. "I champion the importance of clear boundaries between work and personal life, creating an environment where team members are actively encouraged to pursue personal interests and cherish family time. By fostering such a balanced culture, we empower our team to deliver their best work while achieving personal fulfillment," says Seli. 

Practice Self-Care

Cindy Cui, director of software solutions at Keysight Technologies, knows that many women feel the pressure of perfection. "Sometimes, we expect to be Superwoman—the perfect wife, mom, and leader. However, the first step in finding work-life balance is realizing you cannot be perfect in every area of your life. It is okay to work with your life partner to share responsibilities." 

Cui suggests that to find the right balance, women must allow themselves to make mistakes. “It’s okay to fail, and it’s okay to keep trying,” says Cui. She also learned to excel at prioritizing. “I try to help my team with this skill as well—prioritize your work so you can make better decisions and achieve more with your time,” says Cui. “Otherwise, you may find yourself busy juggling 30 tasks simultaneously, leaving little time to analyze which ones yield the highest return on investment or are the most critical.” 

Above everything else, Cui believes in self-care: “I always recommend practicing self-care to find a better balance. You can do this by establishing boundaries that work for you. For me, that looks like blocking ninety minutes for a workout because that’s what refreshes me.” 

Lead by Example

Shari Begun, VP of worldwide IoT sales at Renesas Electronics, manages sales teams around the globe. She prioritizes work-life balance by reframing it as work-life integration. "I think by saying work and life integration, we're more realistic about what we're trying to achieve," says Begun. "I try to be flexible, but I also block my time so I can focus on where I am at the moment."

Begun's advice for integrating work and life? Lead by example. "When I'm out, I communicate that I won't be available by text, email, etc. And I keep that promise to show my team they can do the same." Beyond demonstrating that disconnecting is possible, Begun also sets an example by discussing the frequency of technology interruptions during her work time and sharing strategies to reduce them. "I turn off all of the notifications on my phone. All the beeping sounds are unproductive. I check my phone regularly, but I don't allow notifications to come through," says Begun. By doing this, she shows her team how she wants them to work, focusing on what's in front of them and staying in sight of current priorities.

“When I'm out, I communicate that I won't be available by text, email, etc. And I keep that promise to show my team they can do the same.” -Shari Begun

Conclusion

As we conclude our discussion of work-life balance for women in engineering leadership, it's evident that achieving harmony between professional and personal life is not only about managing time but also about managing energy and priorities. The leaders featured in this article exemplify that through intentional actions and mindful strategies, balance is achievable and sustainable. Here are the key takeaways:

• Practice Balance: Prioritize work projects and block your calendar for self-care to maintain both productivity and personal well-being.

• Be Present: Engage fully wherever you are, ensuring that you are fully immersed in the task or interaction at that moment.

• Manage Well-being: Safeguard your health and wellness by managing a busy schedule with your well-being as the priority.

By adopting these strategies, women in engineering leadership can pave the way for a fulfilling career and a balanced personal life, setting a powerful example for others.

References

[1] Monique Solomons, 100 work-life balance statistics: gender, burnout, and workplace stress, Linearity, [Online], Available from: https://www.linearity.io/blog/work-life-balance-statistics/

This article was initially published in "Women in Engineering Leadership: Advices and Best Practices for New Leaders," an e-magazine by Mouser Electronics and IEEE Women in Engineering Society. It has been substantially edited by the Wevolver team and Ravi Y Rao for publication on Wevolver. Upcoming articles will explore various aspects of leadership and best practices for new women leaders in the engineering field.