In an age when conversations around “quiet quitting” and “work-life balance” dominate workplace culture, one CEO is challenging the narrative with a statement that’s as provocative as it is passionate. Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras Systems, believes that greatness cannot be achieved in moderation.
Speaking on Harry Stebbings’ 20VC podcast, Feldman said, “This notion that somehow you can achieve greatness, you can build something extraordinary by working 38 hours a week and having a work-life balance — that is mind-boggling to me.” His comments, reported by Business Insider, have reignited the classic debate between balance and burnout in the pursuit of success.
The ‘Every Waking Minute’ Commitment
Cerebras Systems is no ordinary startup. It’s the Silicon Valley challenger taking on Nvidia’s dominance in the global AI chip race — a $4 trillion industry frontier. Feldman describes himself as “David” in this modern-day tech duel against the giant “Goliath,” saying that kind of mission demands nothing less than an “every waking minute” level of dedication.
“You can’t go up against the status quo, up against the 800-pound gorilla with modest effort,” Feldman told Business Insider. “To be great, you have to be committed. And that commitment is not part of time — it’s all of the time.”
His view paints a picture of leadership grounded in obsession, not balance — one that has long defined the startup ethos of Silicon Valley’s most relentless innovators.
Buffett’s Balance vs. Silicon Valley’s Grind
When asked about Warren Buffett’s famous advocacy for maintaining work-life balance, Feldman offered a pointed counterquestion: would Buffett or his late partner Charlie Munger prefer to invest in a company led by founders who leave at six, or by those “so passionate that they are working around the clock, moving mountains, and consumed by their business”?
It’s a stark contrast between two philosophies of success — one built on sustainability and calm calculation, the other fueled by passion and sacrifice.
Lessons from the Field and the Field of Play
Feldman compared building a company to the training mindset of elite athletes. He referenced NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who famously went back to practice routes the day after winning a Super Bowl. The analogy, he said, embodies what separates the exceptional from the average.
“If you want to be great, you’ve got to put the work in,” Feldman emphasized.
Passion as the Real Paycheck
While Feldman’s work ethic may sound extreme, he insists that his approach attracts rather than exhausts talent. “Nobody becomes an engineer to do things a little better than the last one,” he said. “You become an engineer because you love to build things — differently, better, and in ways that change the world.”
For him, passion is the ultimate currency. And when people are driven by it, work is not a burden — it’s a calling.
Speaking on Harry Stebbings’ 20VC podcast, Feldman said, “This notion that somehow you can achieve greatness, you can build something extraordinary by working 38 hours a week and having a work-life balance — that is mind-boggling to me.” His comments, reported by Business Insider, have reignited the classic debate between balance and burnout in the pursuit of success.
The ‘Every Waking Minute’ Commitment
Cerebras Systems is no ordinary startup. It’s the Silicon Valley challenger taking on Nvidia’s dominance in the global AI chip race — a $4 trillion industry frontier. Feldman describes himself as “David” in this modern-day tech duel against the giant “Goliath,” saying that kind of mission demands nothing less than an “every waking minute” level of dedication.
“You can’t go up against the status quo, up against the 800-pound gorilla with modest effort,” Feldman told Business Insider. “To be great, you have to be committed. And that commitment is not part of time — it’s all of the time.”
His view paints a picture of leadership grounded in obsession, not balance — one that has long defined the startup ethos of Silicon Valley’s most relentless innovators.
Buffett’s Balance vs. Silicon Valley’s Grind
When asked about Warren Buffett’s famous advocacy for maintaining work-life balance, Feldman offered a pointed counterquestion: would Buffett or his late partner Charlie Munger prefer to invest in a company led by founders who leave at six, or by those “so passionate that they are working around the clock, moving mountains, and consumed by their business”?
It’s a stark contrast between two philosophies of success — one built on sustainability and calm calculation, the other fueled by passion and sacrifice.
Lessons from the Field and the Field of Play
Feldman compared building a company to the training mindset of elite athletes. He referenced NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who famously went back to practice routes the day after winning a Super Bowl. The analogy, he said, embodies what separates the exceptional from the average.
“If you want to be great, you’ve got to put the work in,” Feldman emphasized.
Passion as the Real Paycheck
While Feldman’s work ethic may sound extreme, he insists that his approach attracts rather than exhausts talent. “Nobody becomes an engineer to do things a little better than the last one,” he said. “You become an engineer because you love to build things — differently, better, and in ways that change the world.”
For him, passion is the ultimate currency. And when people are driven by it, work is not a burden — it’s a calling.
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