ServiceNow CFO: Overwork Does Not Enhance Leadership Performance
Elite athletic principles like recovery are essential for sustained executive effectiveness and decision-making.
1Redefining Executive Stamina
ServiceNow CFO Gina Mastantuono argues that the corporate tendency to equate fourteen-hour workdays with dedication is fundamentally flawed. She suggests that this culture of overwork sets a poor example for subordinates. Instead, she advocates for viewing recovery as a mandatory prerequisite for high-level performance, rather than a distraction from professional duties.
2Recovery as Performance Prerequisite
Drawing parallels to elite athletes, Mastantuono emphasizes that professional effectiveness requires intentional periods of rest. By prioritizing recovery, she reports improved work-life balance, enhanced listening skills, and greater composure under pressure. These personal benefits directly translate into her capacity to lead teams, manage colleagues, and maintain stability during high-stakes corporate environments.
3Sports as Leadership Simulation
Alicia Hatch of Deloitte highlights that ninety-four percent of female C-suite executives participated in sports during their upbringing. This background fosters resilience, teamwork, and confidence. More importantly, sports serve as a practical simulator for making critical decisions under pressure with incomplete information, a daily reality for modern executives navigating complex business landscapes.
4Strategic Pivoting in Practice
Janet Evans, chief athlete officer for LA28, demonstrates how athletic persistence applies to organizational strategy. When faced with the likelihood of Paris winning the 2024 Games, the Los Angeles team pivoted their focus toward securing the 2028 event. This shift illustrates the necessity of maintaining faith in long-term goals despite significant external setbacks.
5Commercial Growth in Athletics
The intersection of sports and business is gaining momentum, with Deloitte projecting global revenues from women's sports to reach at least three billion dollars by 2026. This represents a three hundred and forty percent increase over four years. Soccer and basketball are expected to dominate, each accounting for thirty-five percent of total revenue.
6Adapting to Changing Circumstances
The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is a core competency shared by both athletes and successful leaders. Pursuing ambitious objectives requires a willingness to take calculated risks and work through inevitable failures. This mindset allows executives to remain effective even when initial plans encounter resistance or shifts in the competitive market environment.
7Cultural Shifts in Management
Moving away from the glorification of sleep deprivation is essential for modern leadership development. Leaders who model healthy recovery habits foster more sustainable environments for their teams. By treating leadership as a long-term endurance activity rather than a short-term sprint, executives can ensure they remain effective and composed throughout their entire career trajectory.
8Integrating Athletic Mindsets
The lessons learned on the playing field—resilience, strategic pivoting, and the necessity of recovery—are increasingly relevant to the boardroom. As women's sports continue to grow commercially, the leadership qualities associated with athletics provide a framework for navigating uncertainty. Executives must balance high-pressure performance with the discipline of rest to maintain long-term success.