How To ‘Add Margin’ To Your Life

The best gift I can give myself—and my company—is to add margin to my life. I’m not talking about financials but something else entirely: space to think, space to breathe and space to grow.

In the earlier part of my career, I said yes to almost everything. I reached a point where I was stretched so thin that I wasn’t truly present in any area of my life and, over time, I’ve realized that it was my own mindset at fault. Because there was always one more meeting to attend, one more initiative to oversee, one more stakeholder needing attention. I had to learn over time to set boundaries, to give myself the space I needed to operate at my best and, equally important, to take back more time for myself. So I engage in the practice of “adding margin” in three ways:

1. Using purpose as a filter.

Everything I do is guided by a simple but clear purpose: helping people live better lives through problem-solving. When a new request or opportunity comes my way, I ask myself if it aligns with that purpose and whether it’s a true priority. If not, I’m much more comfortable saying no.

This wasn’t easy at first. I used to think that saying no meant missing out or disappointing someone. But I’ve realized that if I say yes to everything, I’m not fully present for the things that matter most. This purpose-driven approach allows me to make decisions with intention, and it’s helped me focus on what will truly move the needle, both personally and professionally. As a CEO, it’s crucial to be clear about what you’re working toward, and a well-defined purpose can serve as a powerful compass.

2. Making room for failure.

I’m a recovering perfectionist. Early in my career, I felt I had to be involved in everything to ensure the outcome met my standards. But one pivotal experience changed that perspective. Before my first maternity leave, I left my team with a detailed list of how I wanted things done in my absence. When I returned, I found they had ignored my instructions and done things their own way; to my surprise, they’d done an even better job. Lesson learned.

At Melinta, I focus on building high-performing teams and creating a culture where they feel trusted to make decisions and take risks. In an industry as innovative as pharmaceuticals, you can’t have breakthroughs without taking risks—which means there will be mistakes. That’s why one of our core values is “Be Bold, Be Different, Create Value.” We encourage people to try new approaches, knowing that we’ll support them even if things don’t go perfectly. By building this supportive environment, I’ve found that I can step back without losing control, which has given me more margin in my own life and greater strength in my team.

3. Setting clear boundaries.

Finally, creating margin isn’t just about saying no at work—it’s about making intentional space for personal recharge. Every Saturday is my day of rest—I don’t check email or respond to work messages. I come back each Monday feeling refreshed and ready to give my best to my team. I also work closely with them to ensure my schedule aligns with my priorities. We color-code my calendar according to five areas of focus—work priorities, family, personal growth, faith and health. This system gives me a clear visual of how I’m spending my time.

It can feel uncomfortable, even risky, to set boundaries as a leader, but I’ve found that this approach is the foundation for more effective and sustainable leadership. So get clear on what matters most to you, create the space to recharge and trust your team to step up. Not only will you be a better leader, but you’ll also build a stronger, more resilient organization.