Why Jack Welch is Good for the Work-Life Debate

I'm thrilled he made these comments. I agree...a work/life balance does not exist. You make decisions based on what your family needs and your choices have consequences. This hold true for both men and women.

I am hoping that his comments will start an actual discussion, rather than parents screaming about him being old-school and having no place in modern society. Yes, it's silly he said these choices just affect women, they are an issue for both parents. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that more time at work equals less time at home.

It is time parents stopped looking at this as a personal struggle and start trying to actually change the corporate environment to make it a positive place for both working parents.

This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I truly believe we need a paradigm shift around this issue in order to really shed light on what's really going on.

I don't think shifting away from "balance" is the answer, but how so many of us have some to view "life" as "other than work".

Life is always a dance of priorities due to (essentially) the limits of time (168 hours a week is all you get folks). Each person has the power of choice about how to spend that time.

For a long while there has been the phrase "work/life balance" and I think that semantics are critical. We have colluded in validating an underlying belief that you are not really "living your life" while you are at work. I believe this comes from a feeling most people have that work time isn't their own, that they are often "enslaved" to their employers rather than merely exhanging their time and life energy for cash.

When you are spending your 168 hours a week exactly in accordance with your own personal values you will never feel out of balance. How you allocate that time is completely within your control. I also believe if you are rock solid about your choices you are essentially free: free from fear about what your "consequences" are, free from comparing yourself to coworkers who choose to allocate more time to work - or less time, and free to enjoy time at - and away from - work.

When you know what is TRULY right for you, and you do not compromise this, you are free, empowered...and "balanced". I suspect part of the misunderstanding with someone like Jack is that I would bet he is 100% happy with the way he allocates his time, and may not understand that so many people do not feel empowered to make the choices that are right for them (they are, even if they don't feel it).

Jack Welch is like EF Hutton. When he talks, people listen. While I agree with Mr. Welch that the term Work-Life Balance is a misnomer, I also believe that it is short-sighted to believe that working mothers should be penalized in terms of advancement. Men don’t have to make the same difficult choices that women have to. All the research available supports this fact.

In addition, it is short-sighted to consider work-life to be an issue specific to parents. While they have been the catalyst for lots of the progress that has been made in addressing the needs of employees, it is vital to remember that work-life is just as important to an employee obtaining an advanced degree as it is to a person dealing with eldercare issues. All choices come with consequences. That’s where integration comes into play. We are not all Jack Welch and that really is the point to work-life; addressing the needs of all employees at every stage of life.

Jack Welch is like EF Hutton. When he talks, people listen. While I agree with Mr. Welch that the term Work-Life Balance is a misnomer, I also believe that it is short-sighted to believe that working mothers should be penalized in terms of advancement. Men don’t have to make the same difficult choices that women have to. All the research available supports this fact.

In addition, it is short-sighted to consider work-life to be an issue specific to parents. While they have been the catalyst for lots of the progress that has been made in addressing the needs of employees, it is vital to remember that work-life is just as important to an employee obtaining an advanced degree as it is to a person dealing with eldercare issues. All choices come with consequences. That’s where integration comes into play. We are not all Jack Welch and that really is the point to work-life; addressing the needs of all employees at every stage of life.

Jack's comment are sincere, important and based upon his life experiences. But they are not everyone's experiences. To become CEO of GE takes certain skills, sacrifies, etc that he discussed. So go ahead and sacrifice if that's right for you.

But I coach my female clients to find the place that's right for them based upon their skills, interests and priorities. Many have succeeded on their own terms and in the place of their choosing. They have strong relationships at home and at work. They set boundaries for both.

It's not a perfect world, but I think more women would feel more successful if they found the right place for them versus trying to fit in.

As companies struggle in a tough business environment and the life-span of CEOs declines, more and more women will continue to make it on their own terms

Jack's comment are sincere, important and based upon his life experiences. But they are not everyone's experiences. To become CEO of GE takes certain skills, sacrifies, etc that he discussed. So go ahead and sacrifice if that's right for you.

But I coach my female clients to find the place that's right for them based upon their skills, interests and priorities. Many have succeeded on their own terms and in the place of their choosing. They have strong relationships at home and at work. They set boundaries for both.

It's not a perfect world, but I think more women would feel more successful if they found the right place for them versus trying to fit in.

As companies struggle in a tough business environment and the life-span of CEOs declines, more and more women will continue to make it on their own terms

I dont admire Jack welch at all, he is the poineer for laying off Americans and shifting jobs to India and other countries, according to me such CEO's are impotent idiots.

I agree with Jack. We all make choices, and those choices have consequences. That doesn't mean you can't succeed as a working parent but it does mean you have to be flexible and creative in making sure that you make the kind of contributions that will both enhance your career and protect precious time with your children that can never be earned back.