Mastering Work-Life Integration: Building Your Second Team at Home

Have you suddenly had to take a sick day to care for a family member and realized you do not truly have the backup you need at home when life and work inevitably collide? For many working parents balancing the simultaneous demands of career advancement and a growing family, juggling it all can feel overwhelming. But what if knowing your personal life was completely taken care of could make you feel more relaxed and confident at the office?

Enter the concept of the "Second Team at Home," a work/life integration strategy that Nebo has been bringing to clients for many years.

What is the "Second Team at Home"?

In the corporate world, leaders are not only encouraged but expected to establish a “Second Team.” This group of capable colleagues is ready to step in and cover tasks as needed in the event a colleague is out of the office. By applying this exact same concept to our lives outside of work, we can create a support system. Following the concept of “it takes a village”, the Second Team at Home strategy provides working parents with peace of mind and real, tangible support.

Who is on Your Roster?

To manage all the major responsibilities and commitments in your life, your Second Team at Home should be composed of three distinct kinds of supporters:

• The First String: These are your MVPs—the people who actively share in your daily life’s responsibilities and who you depend on daily. This group includes your life partner or spouse, nannies, proximate family members, close colleagues, and even your child's best friend's parents.
• The Professionals: These are the pros you have engaged to provide services you simply do not have the time or the skills to do yourself properly. This crucial tier includes your doctor, accountant, financial adviser, lawyer, housekeeper, and even your veterinarian.
• Pinch Hitters: When spontaneous needs and unexpected emergencies arise, these are the people you call. Pinch hitters can be your best friends, neighbors, babysitters, siblings, or close colleagues.

A 5-Step Guide to Building Your Second Team at Home

Are you ready to assemble your team? Follow these core steps to get your support system in shape:

• Identify and Assess: List out your current First String, Professionals, and Pinch Hitters, and carefully assess any missing people or gaps in your coverage.
• Confirm They Will Play: Share your expectations up front and clearly explain the specific role each person will play on your team.
• Consolidate Contact Info: Put their contact information in easily accessible places, like a family notebook, your phone, or an email list, and ensure you give access to this list to all of your key players. Make sure you can reach them when you need them – and they can reach each other on your behalf when you are not available.
• Reciprocate and Appreciate: Acknowledge your team members and reciprocate their help however and whenever you can. If a spot opens up or someone’s role isn't working out, graciously make another plan, but make sure to consciously act to fill the empty spot.
• Keep it Current: Because situations constantly change due to school schedules, summer camps, or visiting relatives, it is vital to keep your team updated. Put time on your calendar to conduct an annual or seasonal update of your team list.

Additional Strategies for Working Parents

Building your Second Team goes hand-in-hand with adopting broader life management strategies to help your whole life work better. A successful approach requires you to be highly strategic about your goals and boundaries. To optimize the integration of your work and life, consider these strategies:

• Evaluate Your Standards: Identify the standards you are trying to live up to as a parent or partner on a daily basis. Differentiate between the standards that are deeply meaningful to you and the expectations that may just be holdovers from your upbringing.
• Think Strategically About Tasks: Ask yourself, "What can I outsource?" for tasks you don't love doing but must get done, and "What shall I keep?" for activities that align with your personal values.
• Utilize Practical Tools: Stay organized by planning your weekends, hosting family meetings, organizing carpools, using grocery delivery services, and utilizing technology to stay connected with your kids while traveling.

Dealing with guilt as a working parent might sometimes feel inevitable, but establishing a reliable Second Team at Home can significantly ease that burden. By intentionally outlining your life's responsibilities and purposefully filling the gaps in your support network, you can enrich your career while fully supporting your life at home.

Are you struggling to build your second team? Contact us today to schedule a conversation to see how working with a leadership coach can support you in your roles as a leader and a working parent.