I am currently spending 3 days a week as Interim Global CMO at ClearScore, a fast-growing FinTech in London. I had never previously considered that a 3-day week might be for me, but, like many people who embrace ‘part-time’, it came from necessity rather than curiosity. I needed to reduce the days I was working as CMO (which was already demanding at 5 days), so that I could fit in the learning, writing and coaching I had previously committed to for my ILM Level 7 diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. I’m 8 weeks into this new regime… and I’ve learned a lot.
Has it been easy? Certainly not. Have I made personal compromises? Yes. Have I always felt like I am ‘winning’. Of course not! But have I learned a lot? Absolutely. And it’s these learnings that I will pass on below.
Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries
Boundaries are essential if you are going to work a 3-day week. For me, this means forward planning, organisation and self-discipline. Forward planning ensures that the two days a week are blocked out in advance, it is flagged in my diary that I am not working and where possible, I’m setting a pattern around this. I constantly remind the team I work with and the partners who support me (like agencies) that I’m working 3 days, and if we need a meeting then we do need to have the meeting on the days I am working, or I delegate and don’t attend if it happens outside of this.
I’m in control of what is coming up and I’m on top of my diary like never before. When I leave the office for a day off, I make sure everyone who needs to know, knows that I’m not working, and what that means. For me, this means, unless there is an emergency or an exception, I’m not working. My ‘out of office’ is turned on and my Slack has a message on it (which I set to magically remove itself when I return) to let whoever is messaging me know that I’m not around.
There are always going to be exceptions, because I care hugely, am extremely accountable and I’m leading a big project and team, so the team and my peers know that they can WhatsApp me if they need to. They know and respect my values and my mantra; ‘no surprises’ and so they navigate this themselves to ensure that when I arrive back after a 4-day weekend, there are indeed no surprises. So far, I’ve not been inundated with WhatsApps.
Commit to the days you work
Here’s the tough bit. When I work the 3 days, I work pretty full-on and pretty long days! This works for me, but might not work for everyone. My view is, I would prefer to get an early train around 7am, blast my day with meetings, and I’m usually returning home by 8pm ready for a rest ahead of the next day. No emails in the evening by the way, that’s my boundary. It’s not ideal for many (although many work longer days than this 5 days a week!), but when I’m working, I’m working. I’m committed. During those 3 days, I’m not going to the gym or meeting friends in the evening. I want to make an impact and I’m focused on doing what it takes to do that.
80:20
Returning to 200+ emails on a Tuesday morning and only having 30 minutes before my first meeting to sift them means I work smart at pace. It doesn’t mean I lack attention to detail, it just means I force myself to focus and I cut through the volume of work. I focus, prioritise and simplify. Focus, prioritise and simplify. That’s all I do! What does this mean practically? Not checking my phone when I’m doing something. Formulating a holding reply to manage others’ expectations who may be lower priority in needing a detailed response. Not getting dragged into email chains that I am copied in but take me 15 minutes to read and understand that actually it’s not relevant to me. The list could go on. Focus, prioritise and simplify!
Dial up your leadership
Your leadership needs to be razor sharp when you’re leading a big team part-time. Your team are the extension of you who go on to deliver during the days you don’t work. You need to be aligned in your vision to do this. Delegation needs to be role-modelled. Inspiration needs to be delivered. Clarity needs to be set and re-set. If you do one thing during the short time you are with your team, set clarity. Let them know where you’re heading and what you need from them. At the same time, listen to them, lean into how they’re feeling and make sure you’re figuring out constantly what they need from you. Be present. Walk the office, say “hi” to people, spend that extra minute asking how someone is. When you’re there for a limited time, the team and the business need to feel your presence, your energy, your impact. Supercharge this.
Remember your ‘why’
Sounds cheesy, but it’s essential that you remind yourself regularly of why you’re doing this. Whether it’s to spend time with your family, to follow your passion or just to achieve more of a balanced lifestyle; you chose to work part-time for a reason. Remember that reason. Talk about that reason. Feel good about yourself for choosing this! Don’t be apologetic.
I reckon that whether you’re part-time or like many, working more than full-time, if you implement these learnings, you’ll gain some efficiency, freedom and peace of mind. I’d love to know your thoughts on my suggestions or your own experiences.