With your career so intertwined with technology and being “switched on,” how do you unplug and create time and space to be offline outside of working hours?
As a leader, I need to set the example of balance for my organization. We are part of the team keeping the Internet running 24/7, so it’s not always as easy as working a traditional 9 to 5. I encourage the team to take care of themselves both mentally and physically. Google offers a range of health and wellness benefits designed to decompress that I, along with my team, take advantage of. For example, Googlers have access to a variety of apps to help manage stress and anxiety. One of my favorites is Headspace, which offers guided meditation.
I work hard to cultivate a culture of teamwork where everyone (including myself) has the confidence to unplug completely and know the rest of the team has their back. I ask my leaders to put their vacation on my calendar so that I do not even accidentally bother them when they are out of office.
