Researchers from Florida have observed a link between after-hours disengagement from work and higher workplace productivity. The finding, reported in a peer-reviewed journal, highlights how stepping away from emails and work calls during evenings can influence leadership effectiveness and team performance.
A 2019 study surveyed more than 70 full-time executives over a 10-day window to explore how leaders manage work-life boundaries. The participants included HR leaders, chief financial officers, general managers, and chief engineers. The group comprised a majority of women and predominantly white respondents, with a median age in the late thirties. The goal was to understand how leaders balance professional obligations with personal recharge time, and what impact that balance has on their performance as managers.
The study found a consistent pattern: leaders who avoid checking emails after hours, who refrain from answering after-hours phone calls, and who consciously disengage from work-related concerns tend to emerge as more effective. Their approach allows them to unwind and reset, which translates into higher energy and focus when the workday resumes. This recharge appears to influence decision-making, creativity, and overall momentum at the start of the next workday.
Colleagues and subordinates also perceived stronger leadership performance among these individuals. Subordinates were asked to assess how clearly managers communicated goals and a shared vision, how much energy and enthusiasm the leaders demonstrated, and whether they fostered creative thinking and problem solving within the team. In many cases, teams reported greater clarity of purpose and a more proactive attitude from leaders who prioritized recovery as part of their routine. (Attribution: Journal of Applied Psychology study on work boundaries and leadership effectiveness)