Archive · 23 May 2025
LinkedIn Co-founder: Balanced Founders Lack Commitment
Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, thinks that if you're starting a company, you can't focus on having a perfect work-life balance.
He believes that to be truly successful, founders need to be completely dedicated to their business, even if it means spending less time on other things.
Hoffman says it's a tough journey, and you have to be very focused.
He understands people still need to eat and see family, but the most important thing should be the business.
This idea is different from what Infosys co-founder, Narayana Murthy, says.
He believes that everyone should work long hours.
Reid Hoffman believes startup founders prioritizing work-life balance are not fully committed.
Hoffman suggests founders should be "unbalanced" while building their businesses.
He acknowledges founders can still enjoy dinners or see family, but focus must remain on business.
Hoffman's perspective contrasts with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's views.
Murthy advocated for young professionals to work long hours without weekends.
- Who
- Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.
- What
- Reid Hoffman's perspective on startup founders and work-life balance.
- When
- May 2024 (based on the article)
- Where
- Stanford University and social media (X)
- Why
- To express his view that prioritizing work-life balance is not conducive to startup success.
Reid Hoffman's View
Comparison to Narayana Murthy
Work-Life Balance
Reid Hoffman's View
Hoffman believes startup founders should not prioritize work-life balance if they want to succeed. He acknowledges it may last for a couple of years, but while building businesses, they must be unbalanced.
Comparison to Narayana Murthy
Murthy suggested young professionals should work 70 hours a week, with no Sundays.
- Key Figure
- Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder
- Target Audience
- Startup founders
- Main Argument
- Work-life balance not prioritized by successful startup founders
- Perspective
- Building a business from scratch is a relentless game
- Comparison
- Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy