But not all leaders see work and life as complementary. Some set strict boundaries, others blur the lines entirely, and many are mindboggled by the concept entirely.
“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.”
But she does have a concession: even when she’s clocking in 90-hour workweeks, Guo still finds a spare hour or two to connect with friends and family. The entrepreneur advises that everyone should always make time for the special people in their lives, “regardless of how busy you are.”
But in moments when he’s forced to prioritize work or life, the former will always take the backseat: “Whenever there’s a conflict, guess what? Family first. That’s it.”
“I personally think that being able to work 996 is a huge blessing,” Ma said on Alibaba’s WeChat account in 2019.
“Many companies and many people don’t have the opportunity to work 996…If you don’t work 996 when you are young, when can you ever work 996?”
Are you an executive, founder, or CEO who has strong thoughts on work-life balance, and whether or not it’s attainable? I’d like to hear from you! Reach out at emma.burleigh@fortune.com
