Disclaimer: This column should not be construed in any shape or form as a statement or philosophy about marriage.

Striking a balance between work and home is no easy task. But I’ll try a comical approach to drive a few points home, pun intended, as well as offer some suggestions.

Lack of communication jumps to the top of issues employees list as why they dislike their employers and jobs. Is lack of communication restricted to work? Or are there similar concerns at home? Communication is one of those words with a broad meaning, yet can be so confounding. Having two ears and one mouth is God’s way of telling us something. If you or your employees want the doctoral course in communication, scrap the seminars and learn what empathy means.

Low pay is another issue employees blame for their dissatisfaction. Of course, there are money issues at work and home. Strive to understand what’s truly important. Survey after survey points to job satisfaction ranking higher than pay. I know my wife’s happier when I’m tranquil rather than stressed out.

Job security — or lack thereof – remains yet another concern, especially in a global marketplace. Jobs that are outsourced or relocated cause frustration. Making sure you have a secure job for your family causes stress at home, too.

Being unappreciated, whether at work or home,  really stinks.

Micromanagement drives employees and significant others nuts. Just try suggesting to your significant other a “better way” for them to mow the lawn, cook a meal or wash the clothes. See where that gets you.

Incompetent managers as well as incompetent significant others cause a ton of grief. We all know them. We see them and ask how that individual got that job or is half of that couple.

Try showing, or being part of, favoritism at home.  Heck, the Smothers Brothers had a great gig with their whole “mom likes you best” routine. Any difference in the work world?

Being overworked means either someone else is getting away with something or your business is understaffed.
I know my wife does significantly more work at home. So I need to schedule more time away from this consultancy thing to get more things done around the house. Starting tomorrow. Maybe.

This list could go on and on and on.

There’s a saying suggesting people keep work at work and home at home. It’s a bunch of bunk. It’s impossible to separate the two.

Competent leaders at work and home know how to co-exist with all these stressors because they start by listening. They engage in one-on-one conversations with no distractions — phones or TVs off. They ask open-ended questions like, “How’s your day going?”

Perhaps a little more emotional intelligence is needed.