Indian-origin CEO says he starts checking his emails at 4.30 am; 'If you want to work eight-to five...'

Khozema Shipchandler, the Indian-origin CEO of Twilio, has stated that achieving work-life balance is not feasible for those in top executive positions. He described his own rigorous routine, which begins with checking emails at 4:30 a.m. and concludes around 9 p.m., with work often spilling into weekends.

Shipchandler, 51, shared in a Fortune interview that while the desire for work-life balance is understandable, sacrifice is what distinguishes leaders. He admitted to missing significant moments, such as his son's tennis matches, as a consequence of his dedication to his career, which saw him become a CFO at 31.

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If you want to work eight-to-five, coach your kids sports teams, have the evenings for yourself, and maybe another hobby or interest, that’s awesome.

His demanding schedule includes starting his workday at 7:30 a.m. after a morning routine of emails, news, and a workout. He incorporates short walks on a treadmill after lunch to combat afternoon fatigue. Even while traveling, he maintains this routine, squeezing in additional work before sleeping around 9:30 p.m. Weekends offer a slight reprieve, but he still dedicates significant time to work, often on Sundays.

While acknowledging that some may prefer an eight-to-five schedule with ample time for family and hobbies, Shipchandler asserted that such choices have consequences. He also noted that avoiding social media helps him maintain focus. He attributes his strong work ethic to his immigrant parents, who instilled in him the value of hard work to create opportunities.

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My parents were the classic immigrant success story, and as with many immigrant parents, they wanted their kids to do better than them and to create the opportunities for them. They really pushed working hard and playing hard, which, by the way, I do play hard when I’m not working, so that was the goal.