ServiceNow CFO says leaders who sleep 4 hours and work 14-hour days set 'terrible example' for employees
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ServiceNow CFO Gina Mastantuono warns that executives who prioritize overwork and sleep deprivation set a damaging example for their teams. She advocates for rest as a critical component of sustainable, high-level professional performance.
The Myth of the Burnout Executive: A Cultural Shift
In a recent appearance at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, ServiceNow President and CFO Gina Mastantuono challenged a long-standing trope in corporate culture: the glorification of the 'always-on' executive. For decades, the badge of honor for many senior leaders has been the ability to operate on minimal sleep while logging grueling 14-hour days. Mastantuono’s critique highlights a growing realization among modern leadership that this behavior is not a marker of dedication, but rather a dangerous precedent that risks organizational health.
Dismantling the 'Hardest Worker' Fallacy
Mastantuono argues that the internal narrative—that exhaustion equals excellence—is fundamentally flawed. By prioritizing hours logged over output and strategic clarity, leaders inadvertently signal to their subordinates that burnout is a requisite for career advancement. This creates a trickle-down effect where employees at all levels feel pressured to mirror these unsustainable habits, ultimately leading to higher turnover rates, diminished creativity, and long-term professional fatigue.
The Science of Sustainable Performance
Beyond the cultural implications, the CFO’s stance aligns with modern organizational psychology and neuroscience. Rest is not merely a break from productivity; it is a biological necessity for cognitive functions such as decision-making, emotional regulation, and complex problem-solving. By framing rest as an essential tool for 'sustained performance,' Mastantuono moves the conversation away from traditional hustle culture toward a model of longevity and resilience.
Redefining Executive Success
True leadership in the current corporate landscape requires the ability to manage energy, not just time. When executives normalize healthy boundaries, they empower their teams to operate with greater efficiency and focus. Mastantuono’s message suggests that the future of effective management lies in the ability to deliver high-impact results without sacrificing personal well-being, effectively stripping away the stigma surrounding work-life balance.
Future Trends in Corporate Wellness
As organizations continue to navigate hybrid and global work environments, the pressure to be constantly available has intensified. However, the pushback from leaders like Mastantuono signals a shift toward a more sustainable paradigm. We can expect to see more companies adopting policies that prioritize rest and mental health, recognizing that the most successful firms are those that treat their human capital as a finite, precious resource rather than an inexhaustible commodity.
Conclusion: A Call for Cultural Reform
Ultimately, the call to action is clear: leaders must lead by example. By stepping away from the narrative of the sleep-deprived martyr, executives can foster a culture that values output quality over raw quantity. This shift is essential for building organizations that are not only profitable but also capable of retaining top-tier talent in an increasingly demanding global economy.
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