Work is taking more of our time and energy than ever, and the old “just work harder” mindset is proving unsustainable—and harmful. When work overtakes life, both personal well-being and organizational performance suffer. In conversations with clients and colleagues, one theme keeps coming up: people feel stretched thin, and it’s affecting creativity, health, and resilience. To help, I’ve outlined five pillars of healthy work–life balance. Balance isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for long-term success for individuals and the companies they work for. Those who prioritize it ultimately thrive at work and at home.
Everything in business – and life – boils down to communication. When dialogue stops, progress stops, as my team and I saw in action with a recent project. A New Jersey industrial/commercial equipment cleaning and servicing facility suddenly faced violations, fines, and regulators’ threats of shutdown — despite years of fully compliant wastewater discharge permit monitoring reports. When Envision Environmental, Inc. stepped in, we discovered the real issue wasn’t just wastewater… it was a breakdown in communication. Two regulatory bodies, unclear responsibilities, and neglected sewer line maintenance created confusion and conflict. By bringing both sides together, addressing operational issues, and focusing on collaboration over confrontation, the facility resolved the problem, improved compliance, reduced costs, and rebuilt trust with regulators. Effective communication turned a crisis into progress.
I’ve been working on self-improvement lately, and it got me to thinking - What if facility managers approached EH&S compliance the same way? Systematically. Intentionally. Habitually. Because let’s face it: compliance isn’t just about permits and paperwork—it’s about building solid, daily habits that stick. When your team treats documentation, SOPs, communication, and ongoing learning as second nature, you don’t just stay out of trouble—you create a culture of proactive, confident compliance. I’ve broken it all down into five personal habits that EH&S managers can use to get their “site” in shape.
The supply chain crisis has reached into seemingly all levels of life these days. From supermarket shelves to manufacturers running out of raw materials, it’s an ongoing crisis. But there is another crisis facing many American manufacturers: a shortage of workers, including at the management level. EH&S managers are especially in short supply. And not having someone full-time and qualified on staff to fill that role can wreak havoc on a company’s EH&S policies. Fortunately, there are some solutions.
