Between The Courtroom And The Countryside: Labour Lawyer Stephen Gleave Shares His Secrets To Work-Life Balance

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As one of the premier labour and employment lawyers in Canada, Stephen Gleave has been involved in landmark employment rulings, complex commercial disputes, and arbitration law cases during his 30-year-plus career. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association and is listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada, Best Lawyers Global Business List, and the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory.

But as accomplished as Stephen Gleave is in the legal realm, his ability to juggle his demanding job with running a working 100-acre farm is almost more impressive. He is a competitive jogger who logs 50-65 kilometres per week, a fly fisherman who enjoys angling adventures in Bruce County, a tender of Scottish Highland cattle, a caretaker of rare Carolinian trees, and an apiarist whose hives overflow with organic honey. His dedication to work-life balance is truly inspiring. Today, he shares some of his secrets with us.

Q: Stephen, you’ve built a life that includes both professional success and personal fulfillment. How did you do it?

Stephen Gleave: It sounds really good when you put it like that! I always knew that I wanted to combine a professional life as a lawyer with life on a farm – a lifestyle that kept me active and immersed in nature. But it took an immense amount of time and effort to actually make it a reality. It was a long-term investment in myself through academic achievements in college and in law school and through high standards of professionalism that I set for myself and my team, and that investment has paid off. Once I was able to establish myself and ensure my family was taken care of, I could turn my attention to other things, like finding the perfect farm to settle down on or taking semi-regular fly fishing trips to my favourite spots in Bruce County. I’ve always enjoyed running to some extent, but now it’s something I take more seriously, both for my physical and mental health. I set aside the time to do it no matter what’s happening around me.

Q: Many people struggle to find time for themselves. How do you protect your time and avoid the temptation to overextend yourself, especially with the variety of responsibilities you have in your life?

Stephen Gleave: There’s a straightforward and effective trick I learned some years ago: learn to say no to taking on commitments and obligations that don’t feed your overall health and well-being. Throughout life, people will try to get you to do things to participate in activities, often for their own reasons. If it doesn’t serve a purpose for you or your family, or if it doesn’t bring you joy, which makes you better in all aspects of your life – then don’t do it. Ask yourself those questions and save yourself mountains of time.

As for protecting my time, I take a lot of pride in scheduling and keeping to that schedule. I delegate tasks where I can, and I try to limit distractions. But I’m up early every morning, eating breakfast and attending to farm duties. By 7 am, I’ve checked off a lot of boxes for the day in terms of tasks and responsibilities. That usually gives me the momentum I need to accomplish what I’ve set out to do on any given day. That, and a good run.

Q: It’s clear that spending time outdoors is an important part of your life. Was that always the case and what would you say you get out of it?

Stephen Gleave: Yes, I’ve always loved being outdoors, the fresh air, and noticing when the seasons are starting to change. That connection to nature has always brought me peace. So, being able to run on the beautiful trails we have here in Ancaster, Ontario, where our farm is, always fills me with energy and just rejuvenates my spirit. The way the seasons change here means the trails are never the same, there’s always something new to see, to inspire you with its beauty. So that’s what I get out of it – it clears my mind and puts everything into perspective. The natural world moves at an entirely different pace, and when you’re immersed in it, it washes away all the noise that comes with modern life.

Q: Any final tips for our readers who struggle with work-life balance?

Stephen Gleave: The big one is this: realize the true value of time. It is by far the most precious commodity in our lives. We only have a finite amount of it, and there’s no way to know how much we have until it’s gone. So be mindful of how you spend it. Take time to relax and recharge, sure, but stay focused on your goals. Don’t spend two hours a day on social media – you’d do best to give that up completely. The same goes for TV and video games. Less screen time, more stream time, I say. Do things that invigorate you and put you in a great mood – that’s the simple secret to a well-lived life.