Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
ServiceNow CFO says overwork sets a poor example for employees
ServiceNow CFO Gina Mastantuono warned that leaders who boast of overwork set a poor example for employees.
Speaking at a summit in Santa Barbara, California, she said some executives treat 14-hour workdays and four hours of sleep as signs of commitment.
Mastantuono argued that recovery is part of performance, not something to sacrifice for work.
She said better rest and work-life balance have helped her listen, stay calm under pressure and lead teams more effectively.
Research cited at the event linked recovery from work with better sleep, improved mental health and greater long-term life satisfaction.
Leaders’ habits shape workplace expectations, so modeling rest may benefit colleagues as well as executives.
Janet Evans of the LA28 organizing committee also described CEO Reynold Hoover reminding her to pause and tackle a problem the next day.
ServiceNow president and CFO Gina Mastantuono said leaders who work 14-hour days and sleep four hours set a poor example for employees.
She made the remarks at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Santa Barbara, California.
Mastantuono argued that recovery is part of performance, not secondary to it.
She said better work-life balance has helped her listen more and stay calm under pressure.
LA28 chief athlete officer Janet Evans also described being reminded to take a breather.
- Who
- Gina Mastantuono, ServiceNow president and CFO, spoke about overwork and recovery. Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer, also shared an example about taking a break.
- What
- Mastantuono said leaders who work excessively and sleep little set a poor example for employees.
- When
- Tuesday, at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. The article was published on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Santa Barbara, California.
- Why
- Mastantuono said recovery supports performance and helps leaders care for themselves and work more effectively.
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- Speaker
- Gina Mastantuono, ServiceNow president and CFO
- Event
- Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit
- Location
- Santa Barbara, California
- Overwork example
- 14-hour workdays and four hours of sleep
- Publication date
- October 16, 2026
What people are saying
And in fact, that is such a terrible example for the people around us.
Recovery is part of the performance; it’s not secondary.
When we do focus on taking care of ourselves, then we are much better bosses, much better colleagues, much better parents.
So Janet, you’re gonna figure this out tomorrow.