Shopify president says work-life balance is a ‘misnomer’ — and that we should embrace work-life ‘harmony’
In a recent interview on Emma Grede’s “Aspire” podcast, Shopify president Harley Finkelstein shared his perspective on the age-old concept of work-life balance, suggesting that it may be more accurately described as “work-life harmony.” Finkelstein argues that traditional notions of a 9-to-5 work schedule and strict boundaries between professional and personal life fail to capture the reality of modern work. Instead, he emphasizes a more fluid approach that accommodates the varying demands of life. For him, this means occasionally working on Saturdays while also carving out time for leisurely Thursday walks with his wife. He believes that achieving harmony involves recognizing that work and life can coexist in a way that is tailored to individual circumstances and life stages.
Finkelstein’s views resonate with those of other prominent business leaders like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who have also advocated for a redefined understanding of work-life balance. Nadella, for instance, has expressed a desire to “harmonize” his personal interests with his professional responsibilities, while Bezos has critiqued the term “work-life balance,” describing it as a misleading concept. In contrast, he likens the relationship between work and life to a circle, where both elements are interconnected rather than opposing forces. This shift in perspective is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced work environment, where many employees face increasing demands and expectations, making it challenging to maintain a rigid separation between work and personal time.
Finkelstein also addresses the misconception that long hours are synonymous with high performance, noting that some of the most successful individuals he knows manage to excel while working just 40 hours a week. This highlights the importance of efficiency and productivity over sheer time spent at the desk. As the trend of remote work and flexible schedules continues to evolve, Finkelstein’s insights encourage individuals to seek their own version of harmony, adapting their work habits to fit their unique life circumstances. In a world where the lines between work and life are increasingly blurred, embracing this concept of harmony could lead to greater satisfaction and productivity for employees across various industries.
Shopify president Harley Finkelstein didn’t think a 9-5 was perfect “work-life harmony.”
John Phillips/Getty Images for BoF
Shopify president
Harley Finkelstein
advocates for work-life “harmony.”
Finkelstein said that his harmony involved some Saturdays at work and some Thursdays spent walking with his wife.
His approach to “work-life balance” is similar to Satya Nadella’s and Jeff Bezos’.
For this Shopify leader, work and life are less of a balancing act and more of a song.
Work-life balance
is a classic business mantra, but a difficult one to define. Does it mean working exclusively from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.? Or does it mean shutting off your Slack and email over the weekend? These clear-cut solutions may not fit all office jobs.
Shopify president Harley Finkelstein offered an alternative. On Skims cofounder Emma Grede’s
“Aspire” podcast
, Finkelstein called work-life balance a “misnomer.”
“I think actually what we’re all searching for is some sort of harmony,” he said. “There are some Saturdays where I have to work, and there are some Thursday afternoons that I go for a walk with my wife. That’s my version of harmony.”
Finkelstein said that work-life balance can also look different depending on the individual circumstances, or life chapter, you’re in.
“There’s a period in your life, before I was married, before I had kids, where I was able to work 80 hours a week all the time,” Finkelstein said. “Then, when I had newborns, I wasn’t able to work 80 hours. I think everyone needs to find their own version of it.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shares a
similar definition
. In a 2019 interview with the
Financial Review
, Nadella said that he wanted to “harmonize” what he cares about with his work.
Other business leaders have also expressed a desire to reframe the concept of work-life balance. Mark Cuban said that there “is no balance” for
incredibly ambitious people
, because competitors will work even longer.
Jeff Bezos referred to work-life balance as a “debilitating phrase”
in 2018
. “It actually is a circle. It’s not a balance,” he said.
As
hardcore work culture
and employee monitoring surges, some office workers may struggle to maintain Finkelstein’s flexible work-life harmony. Workers may be required to clock certain hours and report to work on specific days, or face disciplinary action.
As for those 80-hour workweeks, Finkelstein clarified that they weren’t necessary to be a high achiever.
“I know some people who work 40 hours a week who are some of the greatest performers ever,” he said. “They’re just incredibly efficient with their time.”
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