Preventing Divorce in an Executive Marriage

Being a high-powered executive of a major company can be exciting. But of course, such a career comes at a price. There are no doubt long hours and constant travel involved. All this time away from home puts a strain on these CEOs’ marriages.

In many cases, both spouses are employed, causing additional pressure on a marriage. Without proper precautions in place, these unions are bound for divorce.

Executives tend to focus on making sure their businesses succeed. However, they need to adjust their focus on ensuring their marriages don’t fail. In fact, statistics show that divorces ruin more executives than business failures.

Having an intimate relationship with your spouse is possible despite having a dynamic career, but it takes work. There will be stress but your marriage is not doomed to struggle.

It’s not possible to have it all — but it may be possible to almost have it all. The problem with a lot of marriages, executive or not, is unrealistic expectations. To save your executive marriage, here’s what you need to do.

Prioritize Your Needs

Not everything can go your way, so think about what you really need. What is most important to you? Is it being with the kids after school? Is it being home on the weekends? Make sure your spouse understands and work together to come up with the ideal work schedule.

Avoid Becoming a Workaholic

Workaholism causes a lot of emotional pain to family members and must be addressed to avoid irreparable damage. Workaholics have a compulsive need for achievement due to the power involved, and this causes them to lose touch with their emotions over time. Spouses must deal with a workaholic carefully to avoid a power struggle. The focus should be on expressing your unmet needs and negotiating a way to meet them.

Guard Family Time

Family time is important, so don’t be afraid to say no. Executives get asked to participate in various demands outside of work. Be very selective with unnecessary meetings and tasks. Only attend the ones that are absolutely necessary.

 Make Family a Priority

Work and family will often collide. In these cases, you should always choose family. Make decisions in favor of your family life. When switching jobs, always weigh the pros and cons. Avoid jobs with significant demands or a high percentage of travel, both which can keep you away from your family.

Be Open to Changes

Change can be hard, but it’s inevitable. Couples need to know how to handle it. Successful couples intentionally gain the skills to achieve success in the new direction. This may mean making adjustments to work or family life to some degree, whether it be for a limited time or possibly permanently.

Seek Legal Help

When one or both spouses are executives of successful companies, the focus is often on work. Many CEOs work long hours, making their jobs — instead of their families — a priority.

This mentality commonly leads to divorce. Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. understands the emotions involved. We’re here to fight for your legal rights. Schedule a consultation today. Fill out the online form or call 954-764-4330.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-matters/202506/saving-executive-marriages