Comments on: I Don’t Know Jack (Welch) But I’m Mad At Him

By: laurie ruettimann

laurie ruettimann — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:55:23 +0000

I watched the video and was struck by the gap between what Jack meant and what he said. Nevertheless, I still think his words were ill-advised and reflect a thoughtless of way of discussing work-life balance.

I’m with you. It’s not about balance. It’s also not about Jack Welch telling me about the reality of the world because I’m not sure he can speak to a greater reality. He can speak to a wealthy, elitist, privileged position. I objected to the fact that he thought he could speak about choices with any credibility. He can’t. Jack Welch has lived a life of privileged choices based on the sacrifices of others.

By: Leanne

Leanne — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:49:10 +0000

Thanks, China for weighing in – especially as you heard it live. I was on twitter during the conference and heard no hue or cry until the WSJ article and the many articles, blogs & comments to follow. I do wish he had never mentioned “women” at all. Because I’d much rather talk about career choice and consequences than women in the workplace…that theme is getting old and hopefully tired!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:05:29 +0000

From China Gorman, COO of SHRM on Facebook:

Well, I guess you had to be there. His point was not that women need to choose between carrer and life, his point was that when one makes choices one needs to be prepared for the consequences. We women may not like the current reality of the consequences of our choices, but I really did not hear him say that women need to choose between career and life.

By: Lisa Gates

Lisa Gates — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:54:50 +0000

Leanne, your response is very measured …

Taking “women” out of the language in this case is a good idea, and there’s more to the battle. I think at the very least we should all be mentoring, coaching, blabbing, tweeting, posting with women about leading the charge and opening up the work-life balance dialog in their companies. Extra work to initiate, but talk about a leadership opportunity. Goal would be to generate dialog and discovery, and to develop “best practices” and policies.

I realize people are pitting fear of job loss w/work life balance issues. I may be inciting a riot, but I actually think loathing one’s work is more painful than losing a job.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:08:29 +0000

Family is first and always will be – people find this out sooner or later – hopefully sooner. Sometimes it’s hard to remember, when you are sitting there, completely miserable in the corner office.

At the end of your life none of your materialistic crap, your job, or cash matters. No one remembers your job title or that you were a big shot or a little fish. They only remember if they were touched by you.