FOR A GOOD CAUSE {{ WOMEN WHO INSPIRE { SHIFT+CONTROL } }}
JENNIFER LAKE PHOTOS BY MICHELE ASHLEE
Work-life balance is a concept women work so hard to achieve, but we constantly find ourselves disappointed when we can’t balance it all. That’s why, as CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and co-CEO of the Lake Family Household, I’ve changed my thinking. Instead of work-life balance, I live by work-life integration, and it’s especially important in a COVID-19 world. I have to admit to myself that there are going to be times when family wins out and other times when work bleeds into my personal space. And that’s OK. Work-life integration is about integrating our “two worlds” and letting go of the guilt we put on ourselves. What I say to women struggling with the “integration” part: When it comes to work and home, “balance” doesn’t set us up for success. Give yourself permission to go to your child’s play in the middle of the day, knowing there will be other nights when you aren’t able to leave work until the kids are in bed or dinner is over. For me, it was so freeing when I stopped trying to have it all, and all at the same time. I trust myself to know where I should be at any given moment, and I remind myself of this often. We all should. The past five years in particular have been important in helping me understand my own limitations. Even as CEO today, I wonder if I am enough. But I remind myself—and remind the women around me often—that your best is way better than anyone else can offer. As a leader, as a partner, as a mother. 34
ROCHESTER WOMAN ONLINE :: JULY EDITION 2020
Your best is amazing. My best is amazing. I knew that accepting the position as CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes in April would create an even greater importance for work-life integration for myself, my husband, our daughter and my team. I had many conversations with my family about what this would mean for me, my relationships and our family. I went in with eyes wide open and knew what this shift in dynamics would mean for us, especially given the extra-long workweeks
during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had honest conversations with my husband and daughter, and we all had the same expectations for this time: The world is in a crisis and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is at the front lines of responding to it. Our 24-7 211-Lifeline program has accepted over 50,000 calls during the pandemic, when last year is was 16,000. We’re the connector to important services our community members need, like food, mental health support and shelter, and we are working
alongside United Way of Greater Rochester, Foodlink, Ibero-American Action League, Catholic Family Center, and so many others. Goodwill and 211 are the connecting points to these services. When someone calls, they need help and don’t know where else to go. And for some, it’s the first time their stress and anxieties are being “heard” during the pandemic. We are responding around the clock to this crisis for our community in so many ways. Our work matters. Our community matters. For these reasons, Matt and Maddie were understanding, and I didn’t have to beat myself up over “having it all, all at once.” I finally admitted to myself, and it took years: Jen, you can’t do it all. Stop trying. And let me tell you: It was so freeing. You can’t do it all, you don’t have to have all the answers. You are the only person putting this much pressure on you. Accepting that you don’t have to do it all—that your best is amazing—is freeing, and I became so much happier. I often share this lesson with the women I mentor. It helps beyond measure that I work handin-hand with a team of leaders at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes who I trust, care for and respect. Across 20 counties, we all work alongside each other to achieve the same good in our communities. Before the pandemic hit, we were collaborative and reimagined procedures together. Now, I must say, COVID-19 has truly crystalized leaders’ realization, mine included, that any idea of control is a complete illusion. Your