PepsiCo Chief On Being A Mom Vs. Being A CEO

It’s no secret that many working moms struggle to balance the needs of their jobs with needs at home, but I was especially intrigued by PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi’s recent insight. I was really struck by these quotes:

“Every day you have to make a decision about whether you are going to be a wife or a mother, in fact many times during the day you have to make those decisions… If you ask our daughters, I’m not sure they will say that I’ve been a good mom.”

It seems hard to believe (especially in 2014) as a CEO working “three full-time jobs rolled into one”, as Nooyi notes, that she feels her family may not consider her to be a good mom. Isn’t it enough that she’s the leader of one of the biggest companies in the world – but she’s also expected to make late-night grocery store runs for milk? And some of that burden gets shifted to her partner, too:

“How can you do justice to all? You can’t. The person who hurts the most through this whole thing is your spouse. There’s no question about it.”

Most people aren’t the CEO of a major corporation, so her difficulties may be unique. I think it’s fair to say, however, that people hoping to move up in their profession while also trying to balance family and recreation have to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. The key is making sure you put the most important things first and ask for patience and forgiveness from those you love even when your heart is in the right place.

With that in mind, thanks to everyone working this July 4th holiday! If you’re working today, here’s hoping you can find some time to spend with those you love; and if you’re lucky enough to have the day off, be safe and have fun while you celebrate Independence Day!

(h/t The Atlantic)