Forget balance, just say no

Yesterday morning, Heather McGregor aka Mrs. Moneypenny an FT columnist, was interviewed on CNBC’s Squawk Box about her new book Sharpen you Heels. Heather is a successful business woman and mother. She claims that there is no glass ceiling and to succeed, women should not be striving for balance. She posits that we must make choices, and more importantly, learn to say no. I have written a number of posts on searching for balance in my work and family life so as you can imagine, I was glued to the tv.

One of Squawk Box’s hosts pointed out that when a man is a CEO he is not asked how he balances fatherhood and work. Andrew Ross Sorkin, another host, commented that his wife is super-woman and he is awed by all that she accomplishes. Heather countered that women are hardwired to please and men to perform.

To succeed, Mrs. Moneypenny thinks women need to give up the goal of “having it all” or more to the point, taking everything on. Say no to the charity event to be with your family and move the parent/teacher mtg for a work commitment.

In her view, balance is overrated and we need to prioritize. And as Dr. McGregor wittily points out, it may sting like a leg waxing at first, but ultimately, we need to learn to say no.