Recently, I read in a press release of the German pharmaceutical and chemical company Bayer AG: “In line with his own wishes, the contract of our CEO Dr. Marijn Deckers will be extended by just two years on expiration of the initial five-year period. Deckers (56) cited family reasons for extending his contract only until the end of 2016.”
The announcement was a big surprise for the financial community. Bayer is doing very well under Deckers’ leadership, and with 56, he is in a great age for a CEO for such a company.
Deckers had written a letter to all employees stating that his decision was purely based on family reasons. His daughters will move 2016 to the U.S. to study over there. Together with his wife, he wants to spend then plenty of time in the U.S. to be close to his daughters, but that wouldn’t be possible in his role as CEO of Bayer.
Deckers emphasized: “The right balance between my career and my private life has always been important to me. And that’s the reason why I have decided that way.”
Deckers had caught my eye already in 2010 when he was appointed as CEO of Bayer. Also at that time, he spoke in interviews about the topic “balancing life”.
“I do not see myself as a workaholic. I have nothing against hard work, but I am trying to keep balance. Apart from that, I have a family with three children whom I want to watch growing up.” Deckers, who is already at 7.30 a.m. in the morning in the office, stated that, already many years ago, he made an agreement with his wife to be at 6.30 p.m. at home from work. In the evening, he said, he is reading stories for his daughters and he helps to bring them to bed.
Deckers stated further: “It is so important that you don’t scourge your family with your business agenda.” Deckers, who lost his mother when she was only 47 years old, mentioned: “What is important? Surely that I am still there and that I can play with my kids.”
Therefore, for people who know Deckers well, his decision to step down as CEO of Bayer in 2016, cannot be a surprise.
I admire with which consequence and consistency Deckers is approaching the topic “life balance”.
For those of you who say “It is easy to take such a decision, if you have the wealth and the financial safety net of a CEO of a big company”, let me answer: “How many business leaders who are in a similar position to Deckers regarding financial security take a decision in favour of the family? Not many!”
Most business people focus very much on their career, while at the same time neglecting other key areas in their life like family, friends, health, hobbies etc. Some think let me take first care of my career during the next 3 – 5 years. Afterwards, I will spend more time on my relationships. But life doesn’t work that way. By the time, you plan to make the changes, your spouse might have left already, your kids have become emotionally distant from you, your friends have gone, and you might face health issues.
Only, if we live a balanced life, we will be happy in the long run.
Some of you might have heard about the famous 30 seconds speech of the former CEO of Coca Cola, Brian Dyson. It is this great advice that he gave to all of us:
“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends, and spirit … and you are keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends, and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”
So, how much balance do you have right now in your life? Is it time to make changes? If yes, then better don’t wait. Make them right now!
