Do You Know Your ‘Work-Life Balance Style’? Here’s How I Found Mine as an Engineering Manager

If you’re struggling to find a style of work that suits you, it never hurts to be inspired by others! “I was told many years ago to pay attention to the traits in those you admire — both from a leadership and teamwork perspective,” advises Cara Heger, an Engineering Manager at nVent within the Thermal Management business segment. “When you recognize a trait; incorporate it. Your teamwork and leadership style will eventually become the best of those whom you were lucky to work alongside over the years.”

Heger’s role managing project-based engineering efforts for Industrial and Commercial heating applications within Canada, United States, and Latin America is fairly demanding. That is why she stresses the importance of looking within yourself and focusing on your own personal needs and goals, too. For example, Heger tells us that, personally, a work style of fully disconnecting does not suit her. We often assume, Heger says, that “work-life balance means working without distraction during traditional hours and disconnecting completely from work during ‘off-hours,’ which may be true for plenty. However, “one of the more important aspects of work-life balance is to recognize that this ideal balance looks different from person to person,” she continues. 

For instance, Heger herself finds peace and balance by integrating her work and life needs. As a mother of three young children with a working spouse, Heger finds it very important to be highly involved in her family's day-to-day lives. Due to this, “I may get a call from school during the day to pick up a sick child, and I am grateful to work for an organization that allows me to do so,” notes Heger. “Conversely, I am happy to address an urgent email or message, or even just catch up on a few items here and there, when everyone at home is occupied. This working style feels good and helps me find a fair balance between my commitments. While this style is not a best fit for everyone, it is so important to recognize that work-life balance styles are not one-size-fits-all. We are at our best when we recognize and support diverse work-life balance styles.”

Companies can also serve as a key resource in your journey to finding a style of work that fits you best. In fact, Heger sees this relationship as a natural part of the future of work. “I think the future will show continued and growing flexibility as well as support of individualized work-life balance styles,” she states. “When we, as individuals, find that optimal balance, we’re most effective both at work and at home.”

Here, Heger shares a bit more about how she’s found a workstyle that works for her, tips for a hybrid or remote job, and how nVent has helped her thrive in the almost a decade she’s been in with the company!

Finding your balance style at work.

Outside of your work, how do you “check out” and focus on your personal life? And how does nVent  support you in doing this?

I believe a strong work-life balance is achieved when an individual feels that they are successful in fully managing, and maybe even excelling in, both their work and home duties. For some, this may mean adjusting normal work hours slightly to suit caretaking or working from home one day to let in a contractor.  It may also include supporting a global call during a family dinner or traveling to an important meeting outside of normal hours. For others, this may mean turning off work notifications outside of normal hours. 

At nVent, we’re supported by those around us and encouraged to respect each other’s ‘balance style’. When leaders and team members spend the time to understand the most impactful work-life balance style of those they work with, they are able to offer support in a way that brings the most value to those around them. This knowledge also allows us to match a person’s balance style with a role that comes with supporting responsibilities.

How does nVent support you in achieving work-life balance?

nVent does an excellent job of offering various wellness learning courses that offer insight to team members across the organization. Our organization’s values are clear, and our team members and leaders are encouraged and trained to look out for each other and support a healthy work-life balance. 

Tips for thriving in a remote or hybrid role.

How do you manage to avoid burnout while working in a hybrid/remote environment?

Burnout avoidance is supported by the gift of time: time to catch up on work, time to take a walk, time to accomplish a needed task. 

A hybrid or remote environment is highly supportive of many work-life balance styles. We all have life events that exist within our working hours, and I try my best to schedule those events in a way that gives back the most time. For instance, if I have a doctor’s appointment closer to my home, I try to schedule that on a remote day. Remote days also save time that would have been spent commuting or getting ready for the day. It’s important to recognize and take advantage of these ‘time gifts’ that we are given to keep burnout at bay. 

Finally, what are your top tips for excelling in a hybrid or remote job?

1. Understand your personalized work-life balance style.

2. Learn the balance style of those around you and support them.

3. Know that there is diversity in ‘work-life balance’. What is great for one, may be terrible for another. 

4. Take advantage of ‘gifts of time’. 

Want to grow your career at a company that will empower you to develop a work style that fits your needs? Join nVent and experience an environment where you can bring bold ideas, be authentic, and build the future of a more sustainable and electrified world: Find a job there today!

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