Leading Without Losing Yourself: 5 Tips to Finding Work-Life Balance

June 16, 2025 in Career and Job Search Tips, HR Best Practices

 

Laurie Hyllberg

Laurie champions Kinsa Group’s position as the top food and beverage recruiting firm in the nation and its presence in the global FMCG marketplace. To her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Business Management, and Marketing she adds over 20 years of executive search experience in the food and beverage industry at Kinsa. Building a network of executives and professionals through membership in the Women’s Foodservice Forum, Institute of Food Technologists, FaB Wisconsin, Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network, and maintaining professional expertise in recruiting as an Executive Board Member for the Recruiters Of Wisconsin association, Laurie is able to connect top talent in the food industry with food and beverage processors and foodservice providers growing their teams at the C-Suite, VP, Director, and Management level. Connect with Laurie today!

 

If you’re a food and beverage executive reading this on Sunday evening, you aren’t the only one. The industry demands 24/7 thinking—from managing seasonal production spikes to handling supply chain disruptions that can’t wait until Monday morning. At Kinsa Group, we’ve placed hundreds of executives over four decades, and we consistently see one pattern: the most successful leaders aren’t the ones working the longest hours—they’re the ones working the smartest hours.  In the food and beverage world, “work-life balance” doesn’t mean clocking out at 5 PM. It means creating boundaries that preserve your decision-making energy and prevent burnout from derailing your career—and your life.

The Unique Pressures of F&B Leadership

Food and beverage leadership comes with unique pressures that other industries simply don’t face:

  • Perishable products that cannot sit on the shelf, or the truck, or the plant processing floor without spoiling sooner or later
  • Seasonal demand fluctuations requiring rapid team scaling
  • Supply chain disruptions that demand immediate problem-solving
  • Multi-site operational oversight across different time zones
  • Food safety regulations where mistakes can shut down operations
  • Consumer trend shifts that require quick pivots in strategy

Unchecked burnout affects far more than just the executive. It slows innovation, drains teams, and damages the bottom line.

  • Personal Impact:

    • Health issues: 73% of F&B executives report stress-related problems
    • Decision fatigue leading to poor strategic choices
    • Strained relationships with family and key team members
    • Reduced creativity and problem-solving abilities

5 Strategies to Reclaim Your Executive Balance

 

1. Architect Your Time

Top executives don’t just manage time—they design it strategically.

  • The 70-30 Rule:

    • Spend 70% of your time on strategic work (planning and innovation)
    • Limit operational work (approvals, routine meetings, firefighting) to 30%

  • Practical Strategies:

    • Block your best energy hours for strategic thinking
    • Batch operational tasks into focused time blocks
    • Protect strategic time like you would board meetings
    • Delegate routine decisions with clear parameters for escalation

Example: A beverage company CEO blocks 7-9 AM daily for strategic thinking, handles operational issues 2-4 PM, and reserves Friday afternoons for relationship building.

2. Build Your Leadership Ecosystem Through Smart Delegation

While delegation frees up decision space, time architecture ensures that space is protected for high-impact thinking. The goal isn’t to solve every problem—it’s to develop problem-solvers.

  • What to Delegate:

    • Routine vendor negotiations under set thresholds
    • Routine site-level operational decisions
    • Initial screening of leadership candidates
    • Budget prep (they build, you review)

3. Leverage Technology to Work Smarter

Technology should streamline—not scatter—your leadership time.

  • Smart Tech Solutions:

    • Dashboard systems for real-time KPIs across all locations and departments
    • Video conferencing for routine check-ins (save travel for relationship building)
    • Automated reporting for metrics
    • Mobile tools for quick approvals

  • Technology Boundaries:

    • Mute non-urgent notifications after hours
    • Batch email check-ins twice daily
    • Use “Do Not Disturb” mode for deep work
    • Automate routine communication (if possible)

4. Create Non-Negotiable Personal Boundaries

Great leadership depends on recovery time. Think like an elite athlete: performance requires rest.

  • Boundary Examples:

    • One weekend morning reserved for family/personal time
    • One evening per week with no work discussions
    • Annual vacation time that’s truly disconnected

5. Develop a Bench to Support Your Balance

The strongest executives build teams that can function in their absence.

  • Succession Planning in Action:

    • Cross-train your team in overlapping responsibilities
    • Share leadership roles for major initiatives
    • Invite direct reports to high-level industry events
    • Use monthly “leadership scenarios” to build decision-making skills

  • Building Trust:

    • Assign stretch projects with room for safe failure
    • Coach, instead of stepping in
    • Explain your choices to build judgment in others
    • Celebrate team wins publicly

What to Look for in Companies That Support Executive Balance

You’ve earned the right to choose where—and how—you lead. Prioritize employers that view executive sustainability as a strength, not a weakness.

 

Green Flags in Your Job Search

  • Flexible Leadership Expectations:

    • Remote-friendly for strategic roles
    • Executive coaching and development
    • Support for professional growth through conferences
    • Sabbaticals or wellness leave for tenured leaders

  • Wellness Investment That Matters:

    • Executive-focused health programs
    • Mental health resources tailored to leadership
    • Family assistance programs

  • Ask These Questions During Interviews:

    • “How does the leadership team model work-life integration?”
    • “What wellness resources exist specifically for leaders?”
    • “How is the company proactive during high-stress cycles?”
    • “What is the executive team’s average tenure?”

Take Control of Your Leadership Sustainability

The most successful food and beverage executives we place understand this truth: sustainable leadership isn’t about working less—it’s about working strategically while protecting the personal foundation that makes great leadership possible. The strongest food & beverage executives aren’t the ones who do it all—they’re the ones who build systems, teams, and time structures that let them lead with clarity and resilience.

Kinsa Group understands what it takes to succeed in food and beverage leadership. With 40 years specializing in food and beverage executive placement, we understand what it takes to succeed in food and beverage leadership. Kinsa Group connects accomplished leaders with companies that value both performance and personal sustainability. Our deep industry relationships help match executives with organizations that understand the importance of leadership balance.

Connect with our team to discuss how we can support your journey toward sustainable leadership success in the food and beverage industry.

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