BALANCING ACT: SELF-LEADERSHIP AND THE HOME WORK ENVIRONMENT IN REMOTE WORK

This study explores the relationship between self-leadership and the home-based work environment in the context of remote work. It examines how remote workers balance the duality of home as both a living and working space. Using an exploratory diary method, remote employees documented their weekly experiences – covering well-being, work habits, and features of their physical and virtual workspaces. The findings reveal the complex dynamics of working from home: while employees value its flexibility and comfort, they also face challenges such as poor ergonomics, digital fatigue, and social isolation. Self-leadership emerged as a key resource in managing these difficulties and sustaining a productive and balanced remote work experience. Drawing on Heider’s Balance Theory, the study presents an integrated model showing how self-leadership, perceptions of remote work, and the home work environment interact to shape outcomes. The research underscores the importance of developing self-leadership skills and offering organizational support to enhance remote work effectiveness and employee well-being.