Emma Grede, recognized entrepreneur and co-founder of the shapewear brand Skims, disputes the prevailing idea of achieving perfect work-life balance for individuals pursuing exceptional success. According to Grede, achieving an extraordinary level of accomplishment requires more than a standard division of time and focus between personal life and work commitments.
In a May podcast appearance, Grede openly criticized the idea that people can genuinely maintain flawless equilibrium while climbing to elite professional heights. She asserted that pairing exceptional life achievements with moderate effort is unrealistic, calling such claims "crazy." Further, she dismissed any assertion of genuinely attaining such balance, stating, "If someone tells me they have that, I'll show you a liar." This bold statement reflects her firm stance that remarkable ambition demands a level of commitment beyond typical expectations.
While Grede now makes time to enjoy personal moments — including weekends spent in Malibu — she is clear about the intensity required for success. She emphasizes the importance of honesty around the effort necessary, indicating that ambition often means waking each day prepared to contribute well beyond 100 percent of one’s capabilities, metaphorically suggesting a 150 percent effort. This approach underscores the sustained intensity that high achievement necessitates.
Grede's formidable work ethic connects directly to her upbringing in East London and Essex, where she was raised by a single mother and began working at the young age of 12. Her background arguably instilled the fundamental drive and resilience evident in her career trajectory, which has resulted in an estimated net worth ranging between $300 million and $400 million.
The perspective shared by Grede aligns with those of other influential figures in business and politics. For example, Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom, publicly stated that genuine work-life balance does not exist, expressing the view that "work is life, life is work." Although Yuan mentioned prioritizing family during conflicting situations, he also suggested that technological developments, particularly in artificial intelligence, could lead to shorter future workweeks.
Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and investor, also regards the pursuit of work-life balance as impractical for individuals targeting exceptional success. Cuban describes sustained work intensity as a voluntary choice rather than a sacrifice. He recounted periods where he worked continuously without taking vacations while establishing his first enterprise, indicating that relentless effort is a deliberate element of his success path.
Political figures have voiced comparable observations. Former President Barack Obama acknowledged that the road to very high achievement involves temporary but rigorous commitment periods. He cited the intense 18 months of campaigning during his first presidential bid as an instance where the demands of success overrode the typical balance between personal and professional life.
Collectively, these insights from business leaders and political figures underscore a perspective that underlines relentless dedication and diminished focus on conventional balance as necessary components in the journey to remarkable accomplishment.