In a modern era defined by the constant ping of Slack notifications, Teams messages, and the ceaseless hum of digital chatter, achieving genuine separation between professional life and personal downtime can often feel like an unattainable dream. The persistent demand for connectivity blurs the line between work hours and rest, leaving many professionals tethered to their devices long after the day should have ended. Amid this relentless pace, Canva’s CEO, Melanie Perkins, recently offered an insightful glimpse into how she maintains her equilibrium by establishing clear digital boundaries and nurturing a healthier relationship with technology.
During her appearance on *Lenny’s Podcast*, Perkins candidly explained her practical yet powerful approach to achieving balance. She shared that she deliberately refrains from installing either email or Slack—the primary tools of modern corporate communication—on her phone. For her, this is not a symbolic gesture but a meaningful boundary. “When I shut my laptop,” she remarked, “I actually tune out.” It is a conscious process of disengagement, one that allows her to reclaim mental space from the endless stream of alerts competing for her attention.
However, Perkins’s commitment to digital disconnection does not equate to complete isolation. She recognizes that leadership often demands accessibility in times of true urgency. As she clarified, in the rare event that a critical issue arises, she can still be reached through an emergency phone call or an urgent page. This distinction differentiates between what is truly urgent and what is merely habitual noise—a skill that many leaders strive to develop but few implement so decisively.
Perkins, who co-founded the graphic design platform Canva in 2012 alongside Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, has spent over a decade guiding one of the tech industry’s most successful creative companies. Throughout her leadership journey, she has come to view balance not as a luxury, but as a strategic necessity. Reflecting on her personal growth, she stated, “I feel like I’ve developed some healthy habits over the years.” To her, maintaining equilibrium means consciously delineating the borders between work mode and rest mode. “When I’m working, I’m all in,” she said with emphasis. “And when I’m not working, I’m all out.” This philosophy represents more than time management—it embodies mindful engagement, where focus and rest coexist in harmonious alternation.
Perkins also spoke of the mental clarity that emerges from granting oneself the space to zoom out and observe the larger landscape. By stepping away from the incessant immediacy of tasks and communication, she allows room for creativity, strategic thinking, and reflection. “Actually giving that mental space,” she added, “is really important.” Her insight serves as a reminder that innovation often flourishes not in moments of constant activity, but in pauses that allow the mind to wander freely and connect disparate ideas.
Interestingly, Perkins is not alone in prioritizing such boundaries. Across industries and hierarchies, several prominent founders and executives have publicly endorsed a similar philosophy. For instance, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has admitted that he actively limits his phone usage, noting that smartphones, while powerful tools, can also become sources of distraction that inhibit independent thought. He acknowledged the irony of his stance, pointing out that despite having founded one of the world’s largest social networks and subsequently a leading messaging platform, he nevertheless recognizes the cognitive cost of constant connectivity.
Likewise, Glassdoor CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong has chosen a more personal motivation for his digital restraint: family presence. In 2024, he revealed that he avoids checking texts and emails while spending time with his children. His reasoning is rooted in intentional leadership: “I want to lead by not having digital products all around,” he explained, emphasizing that modeling balanced behavior may be one of the most powerful lessons he can impart to his family and his company alike.
This mindset echoes further with Hinge CEO Justin McLeod, who, as early as 2018, declared that he deliberately excludes email from his phone altogether. McLeod attributed this decision to improved focus and decision-making, describing himself as both “a much better leader” and “a much better decision-maker” when liberated from the minutiae of constant email monitoring. Even in the entertainment realm, actor Aziz Ansari has made similar choices, continuing to rely on a simple flip phone and deliberately abstaining from email usage—proof that the desire for mental space transcends industries.
Yet, these examples stand in contrast to another prevailing culture in the startup world: the so-called 996 work schedule, where individuals work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Although many founders initially adopt this routine believing it to be the pinnacle of dedication and productivity, Perkins cautioned against its long-term consequences. Speaking reflectively on her experiences, she observed, “I’ve spoken to a lot of founders who haven’t quite found that balance and then do struggle with it.” The allure of constant work can obscure vision, she warned, making it easy to “miss the forest for the trees.” In other words, without distance and reflection, even immense effort can lose direction.
Her point crystallizes in her closing observation: “You’re just working harder and harder, but maybe you’re actually working on the wrong thing.” The statement underscores a universal truth for leaders and creative professionals alike—without moments of disconnection and introspection, relentless motion can devolve into inefficiency. Perkins’s approach, therefore, represents more than a personal habit; it is an evolving philosophy of mindful leadership that champions productivity through presence, balance, and the courage to step back when necessary.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/canva-ceo-work-life-balance-no-email-slack-on-phone-2025-11
