The Boundaries Blueprint: Reclaiming Time and Space in High-Demand Roles with NYWICI Board Member Erin Styles
Volunteer writer Katrina Machetta sat down with NYWICI’s Chief Matrix Officer and Spotify’s Director, Communications and PR Lead, Erin Styles, to discuss her insights on navigating the ever-changing communications field. Styles shared practical advice on protecting personal well-being, setting boundaries, leveraging support systems, and sustaining long-term success and avoiding burn out.
A Life-Long Journey
Styles began her career as an intern for tech firm Internosis during her senior year of high school on their corporate communications team, where she first gained in-depth exposure to top-tier communications work. From there, she majored in communications at New York University and took full advantage of the professional opportunities that both the school and the city of New York had to offer—exploring television production, public relations, and beyond.
“Being able to tell stories of influence in the media really excited me since I was a teenager. I really jumped into it early,” Styles said.
She reflected on how the field has shifted dramatically. In the early days, her work was rooted in traditional media—dropping of samples, scanning newspapers, and managing hands-on tasks. Today, everything has gone digital, and social media has redefined her work, from corporate language to audience engagement to the balance of digital and physical storytelling.
Keeping up with these changes, she noted, requires balance and adaptability—essential qualities for leaders in this fast-moving field.
Balancing Work and Life
With many professional commitments and personal responsibilities, Styles emphasized the importance of creating sustainable practices for long-term success and well-being.
Budgeting Time
“The work never stops,” she explained. “It’s about asking yourself moment to moment: What should I prioritize? Who deserves my time? And does this contribute to my overall goals—professionally or personally?”
At Spotify, her team uses a “waterfall approach” when deciding where to invest their energy:
- Is this good for Spotify?
- Is it good for our public affairs and communications strategy?
- Is it good for the business group I’m supporting?
This framework allows them to prioritize effectively while confidently turning down or pivoting requests that don’t support the company’s mission.
Prioritizing Wellness and Mental Health
For Styles, wellness is non-negotiable. Sleep should be treated as a priority, not a luxury. Just as important is spending time with loved ones and stepping away from work to recharge. “You have to balance your needs as an individual with your responsibilities as a team member,” she shared.
Avoiding Burnout
Technology, she added, can be a powerful tool for balance. From using AI to streamline workflows to color-coding her Google calendar, Styles makes intentional choices to protect her time—blocking off slots for workouts, deep work, and even periods of unavailability.
Equally important is acknowledging the results of your work, leaning on your support system, and celebrating both personal and team achievements. And above all, she stressed: take your vacation time. Don’t be afraid to step away and come back renewed.
Final Takeaways
Reclaiming time and space in high-demand roles isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing practice. Styles’s insights remind us that success in communications, or any demanding field, doesn’t come from working endlessly, but from working intentionally. By prioritizing wellness, setting clear boundaries, and embracing support systems, professionals can sustain not just their careers, but also their passion for the work.
Her blueprint is simple yet powerful: balance isn’t a barrier to achievement—it’s the foundation of it.
