Top CEOs assert that achieving success in the C-suite requires relentless dedication and long hours, dismissing the idea that a standard 9-to-5 workweek is sufficient.
In a bold message to Gen Z, leading figures from Silicon Valley and Wall Street are making it clear: reaching the C-suite demands more than the conventional 9-to-5 work schedule. Top executives emphasize that relentless hours and intense dedication are essential for those aspiring to occupy the corner office, leaving little room for those who prioritize work-life balance.
Andrew Feldman, cofounder and CEO of the $8.1 billion AI chip company Cerebras, recently articulated this sentiment on the “20VC” podcast. He stated, “This notion that somehow you can achieve greatness, you can build something extraordinary by working 38 hours a week and having work-life balance, that is mind-boggling to me. It’s not true in any part of life.”
As calls for shorter workweeks gain traction across the United States, the nation’s top executives remain steadfast in their belief that a “grindset” approach is the key to achieving trillion-dollar success. Feldman is joined by a cadre of influential leaders, including Google cofounder Sergey Brin and Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, who continue to stress the hard realities of what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.
While it is possible for professionals to maintain a 40-hour workweek and enjoy their careers, Feldman points out that those who do so are unlikely to create the next unicorn or launch industry-redefining products. “You can have a great life. You can do many really good things, and there are lots of paths to happiness,” he noted. “But the path to build something new out of nothing, and make it great, isn’t part-time work. It isn’t 30, 40, 50 hours a week. It’s every waking minute. And of course, there are costs.”
Executives have long challenged the notion that work-life balance is always achievable. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has told employees that there’s “no way” to achieve harmony, asserting that “work is life, life is work.” Former President Barack Obama has also emphasized that being “excellent at anything” requires a singular focus at critical moments. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman has warned that building a startup often means sacrificing leisure activities, such as late-night Netflix binges.
Hoffman once remarked, “If I ever hear a founder talking about, ‘This is how I have a balanced life,’ they’re not committed to winning.” He shared this perspective during a Stanford University class on entrepreneurship in 2014, underscoring that the most successful founders are those who are willing to invest everything into their ventures.
Entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses often grapple with the dilemma of when to step back and unplug. While some Silicon Valley founders have criticized the extremes of 100-hour workweeks, there is a general consensus that adhering to a standard nine-to-five schedule is unlikely to facilitate career advancement.
Khozema Shipchandler, CEO of the $17 billion company Twilio, shared his own approach, revealing that he sets aside just eight hours on Saturdays to disconnect from work. He explained to Fortune that “every one of us has to make certain work-life choices,” acknowledging that while individuals can pursue hobbies and reserve evenings for personal time, he has “never spoken to a peer” who doesn’t follow a similar demanding schedule.
In a similar vein, tennis star Serena Williams has stated that entrepreneurs must “show up 28 hours out of 24” each day. Multimillionaire Kevin O’Leary has urged founders to “forget about balance … You’re going to work 25 hours a day, seven days a week, forever.”
Though aspiring CEOs should not interpret these statements literally, one leader provided a more practical benchmark earlier this year. Billionaire computer scientist Sergey Brin advised Google Gemini staffers that “60 hours a week is the sweet spot of productivity.” Workplace experts have noted that true growth often comes from going the extra mile.
Dan Kaplan, co-head of the CHRO practice at ZRG Partners, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The lesson for most young professionals is if you want to get ahead, you’re not going to get there [with] 40 hours a week.” He cautioned that the emphasis on a 60-hour workweek is not merely about the number of hours but about working extra until the job is done.
As the debate over the ideal number of hours for peak productivity continues, Feldman emphasizes that there is no magic formula. “It’s not about logging hours,” he explains. “It’s about being passionate and being consumed by the work. It’s about being driven to change the world, to be the best you can be, and to help your team be the best it can be.”
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