In search of true work/life balance: in order to consistently attain work/life balance, we must change our work ethic and corporate culture through education, acceptance, communication and accountability.

• Author: Rennar, Hank
• Position: YOUR CAREER

Some would argue that the concept of work/life balance is a myth. You either work or you have a life, but not both. This may seem a bit extreme, yet there's more than a kernel of truth in it.

Over the past several years, we have become more aware of our need to achieve a healthy work/life balance, yet we still struggle to achieve it. The challenge for today's corporate leaders is how to increase productivity, efficiency and profitability while balancing family time, civic involvement and activities conducive to a healthy lifestyle. After all, there are only so many hours in a day.

This has been the topic of countless discussions by concerned social scientists, industrial engineers, school counselors, family physicians, parents and corporate executives. Obviously, work/life balance is an elusive concept that few have mastered.

Tom Owens, senior vice president in the Capital Markets Group at Hines, a multibillion-dollar commercial real estate company, is one executive who seems to have achieved a balance. Owens, along with three other executives from different institutions, took part in an interview project by this writer. The goal was to get an objective perspective on how successful financial executives manage demanding careers while maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside the office.

Owens has built a successful career with Hines spanning more than 30 years. Hines has a good reputation in the industry as a well-managed, privately held company that attracts high-caliber executives. Owens is a key resource for its fund and project managers. He works on special projects, from raising capital and asset allocation, to managing the corporation's private investment projects.

Until a few years ago, Owens' typical day started with an early morning family breakfast, and like many executives, he went non-stop, some days until 7 p.m. or later. He usually didn't slow down until well after 5 p.m. The rest of his day was spent reading memos, contracts and legal documents, while completing necessary reports, schedules and returning calls and emails.

Owens is equally committed to his family and community. He is currently a director for Houston Habitat for Humanity and is an active mission volunteer with an international non-profit group that travels to underdeveloped countries, helping the local people drill and repair water wells. Owens is also a director of the College of Biblical Studies, and is actively involved in a mentoring program at a local...