President of $200 billion Shopify says some of the greatest workers he knows only clock in 40-hour weeks: 'You don't have to work 80 hours' | Fortune

"There's no question that the explosion of ChatGPT and other AI-powered technology has ushered in a new era of productivity, with some leaders even predicting that a four-day work week is closer than ever before. At the same time, the pressure is only intensifying on workers to maximize every advantage. And some business leaders have set extreme examples. Take Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang. Just last week, he admitted that both he and his two children, who also work for the semiconductor manufacturer, work every day of the week-including holidays."

"But not everyone believes the future belongs to the workaholics. In fact, some of the best workers Shopify President Harley Finkelstein knows stick to traditional work schedules. "You don't have to work 80 hours a week to perform well, to be a high performer," he said on the Aspirewith Emma Grede podcast. "I know people that work 40 hours a week that are some of the greatest performers ever. They're just incredibly efficient with their time." While most people will still face the occasional late night or weekend email, Finkelstein said real balance comes from tailoring your work rhythm to your life. "I think this idea of work-life balance is a little bit of a misnomer. I think actually what we're all searching for is like some sort of harmony," he added. "There are some Saturdays where I have to work, and there are some Thursday afternoons that I go for a walk with my wife. That's my version of harmony.""

AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have accelerated productivity and fueled speculation about shorter workweeks while simultaneously increasing pressure on workers to optimize performance. Some business leaders model continuous work, with examples of executives working daily, including holidays. Other leaders emphasize efficiency within standard schedules, noting that many high performers maintain 40-hour weeks through effective time use. Occasional late nights or weekend work remain common, but sustainable balance comes from tailoring work rhythms to individual lives. The concept shifts from strict balance to a flexible harmony that accommodates bursts of work and restorative personal time. Early entrepreneurial experiences shaped these perspectives.

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