CEO of $8 billion AI company says it’s ‘mind-boggling’ that people think you can work 38 hours a week, have work-life balance, and be successful

Core Viewpoint - The prevailing belief among top executives in Silicon Valley and Wall Street is that achieving success requires intense work schedules, contradicting the aspirations of Gen Z for a balanced work-life approach [1][2]. Group 1: Work Ethic and Success - Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, argues that greatness cannot be achieved by working only 38 hours a week, emphasizing that extraordinary accomplishments require full commitment [2][4]. - Many business leaders, including Sergey Brin and Kevin O'Leary, support the idea that a "grindset" culture is essential for achieving trillion-dollar success [2]. - Professionals may maintain a 40-hour workweek and still find happiness, but those who aspire to launch groundbreaking products must dedicate every waking moment to their endeavors [3][4]. Group 2: The Myth of Work-Life Balance - Leaders like Zoom CEO Eric Yuan and former President Barack Obama assert that true excellence requires a singular focus, often at the expense of work-life balance [4]. - Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn cofounder, states that founders who prioritize balance are not fully committed to their success, highlighting that great entrepreneurs invest everything into their ventures [5]. - While some Silicon Valley founders advocate against toxic 100-hour workweeks, there is a consensus that traditional nine-to-five schedules are insufficient for rapid career advancement [5].