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Subscribe to RSSAt Fortune Magazine's "Most Powerful Women" dinner in Palo Alto, Calif., businesswoman Marissa Mayer, who was criticized for juggling a short maternity leave and her new role as Yahoo's CEO, says she has found balance by "ruthlessly prioritizing" God, family and then Yahoo, citing legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi.
"The baby's been easy!" Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer told an invite-only crowd at a Fortune "Most Powerful Women" event on Tuesday evening in Palo Alto, Calif.
"The baby's been way easier than everyone made it out to be. I think I've been really lucky that way but I had a very easy, healthy pregnancy. He's been easy. So those have been the two really terrific surprises: the kid has been easier and the job has been fun!" Mayer said, referring to her son, Macallister. The crowd chuckled along with her.
It turns out the former Google executive, known for her planning skills and extensive use of spreadsheets to make major life decisions (and determine the perfect cupcake recipe), can still be surprised when it comes to both motherhood and corporate leadership.
"I think that there's two surprising things," Mayer told the audience, comprised mostly of women, "I knew that the job would be hard and I knew that the baby would be fun. And the thing that surprised me, and really puzzlingly so, is that the job is really fun! Yahoo is a really fun place to work."
In a television exclusive, TODAY aired excerpts of the interview this morning, which may be her last public interview for some time.
The 37-year old, Mayer, who became Yahoo's CEO while 6-months pregnant and gave birth shortly thereafter, returned to work after a two-week maternity leave, sparking debate about whether she could both lead the embattled internet giant and be a good mother.
More broadly, her story has kindled a national conversation about whether women can truly "have it all" in terms of work-life balance. As a female CEO in the male-dominated tech world, and pregnant at that, some have pointed to her ascent as evidence of "The Fall of Men."
"What's the most important thing that you do, to get it all done?" Mayer was asked onstage at the FORTUNE event.
"You have to ruthlessly prioritize," replied Mayer. Doing interviews haven't been high on the priority list lately.
"And that's one of the reasons I haven't been talking and I will go back to not talking after tonight." said Mayer.
So far investors agree with how Mayer prioritizes her time. Yahoo's stock is up 18 percent since she took over.
A native of Wisconsin, Mayer cited legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi as an inspiration.
"And you know Vince Lombardi says, in my life there are three things: God, family and the Green Bay Packers, in that order. For me, it's God, family, and Yahoo, in that order."
In a few hours Mayer will join a group of CEOs meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss their priorities for the so-called "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending cuts set to take place Jan. 1, unless Congress acts.
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Another interesting tidbit, while she was an executive at Yahoo she advocated for mothers to stay home with their babies for at least 3 months. What a hypocrite!!!!
Actually, I think that's admirable. She's been criticized for taking too short of a leave and setting a bad example that women everywhere may be "forced" to follow. "Marissa Mayer only needed 2 weeks, if you're not back in 3 you're fired" etc. This proves that she understands the importance of maternity leave, but also that she understands people are different and in different situations.
I agree, Allielcea. It seems like people are just looking for something to b*tch about. How can you be mad at her for ADVOCATING for women to be off 3 months for maternity leave and she doesn't even take it herself? I think she's to be admired for that. She probably couldn't take more leave because she has a job to do since Yahoo is, as some of you have happily said,...."a sinking ship"? I'm not understanding all the hatred. Mayer worked hard to get where she is and she has to keep her job like anyone else which sometimes means not taking too much time off b/c let's face it....Americans are workaholics and it looks bad when people take off from work.
I'm a filthy rich CEO. Having a baby is easy! Work is fun! God is #1 ... you go God!
Oh puleese ...
im sure its a piece of cake when you make 7 figures a year! pompous ass!
I believe her!! When I gave birth to twins as a single mom, my biggest surprise was how easy it was; no kidding. I had a stressful administrator position at a large university and let me tell you, my job was far more time consuming and stressful than motherhood. Stay at home moms who complain that they are "working" don't have a clue. Being on maternity leave with newborn twins, caring for them on my own, felt like the most relaxing vacation of my life.
Sewing is fun and easy, but I don't work in a sweatshop.
I still think its hard to "have it all", especially at one time. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years.
My kids were in Early Intervention and my son was speech delayed and is in special education. My son would not have thrived in daycare. I was fortunate that my kids had "free play" and "playdates" as opposed to structured activities every single moment.
If it's not stressful for the parent, then its stressful for the toddler and preschooler. The world doesn't need more work and more stress, but less of it.
I went back to work full time and I am doing well in my career. In fact, it took my ex-husband 25 years of work to earn his salary, and I will nearly be 3/4 of the way to match his salary in 5 years. I didn't miss anything.
Also, it seems easy just having 1 child. Going from 1 to 2 is difficult. If you have more children, you need to decide if the cost of day care and preschool is worth your time hassling around.
Best wishes to the new family.
I was a stay at home Dad for four months after I left the military, easiest job I ever had. Aside from a few diaper changes, playtime, there was a lot of napping for both of us. I had the house completely clean and dinner prepped. Literally by 10:00 I had nothing to do, I was inventing crap to clean. Easiest job I had by far.
She isn't a regular mother with a regular job, though - so yeah, it is easier for her. I don't see why everyone is offended by that. She worked hard to get ahead in her career, she has had success, and now has the means to continue with her career, and have her child well cared for. There's nothing wrong with her success, just like there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mother - it's a personal choice, and so long as the child is cared for, why does it matter?
A lot of these comments have come off as terribly jealous & judgmental - and most of them seem to be coming from women who are not in as secure of a position as Marrissa Mayer is.
Cait!- Thank you! You said what I was trying to say but much calmer. I appreciate it! She's worked harder than most of us posting on an internet site do, and she has the right to make her own choices and not be criticized at every turn. So long as she and her husband agree on how they want to raise their child, that's all that matters. It's no one else's business!
Cait!, you said it perfectly! I looked up her bio because I look up to her and what she has accomplished. This girl has been working her butt off to get to where she is. If she were a man, she'd be getting a BIG OL' PAT ON THE BACK! Yahoo! had their reasoning for hiring her and based on her background, Yahoo! made the right choice.
People who are posting don't care to do their research, they just want to let their jealousy (and judgements) shine through. One tidbit of info for you all that will probably make some of you even MORE jealous: Mayer's husband is filthy rich in his own right and WITHOUT HER MONEY so she is working just to be working. She could EASILY stay home with her son. But women fought for WOMEN'S RIGHTS so we can could have a choice of working and making our own way in life. I love my husband but I wasn't raised to expect a man to support me. I'm a grown woman who is fully capable of contributing to society, as well. Why else did I go to school for 13 years then obtained almost 3 degrees?
Everyone is not going to be the same. Some people LOVE to work and LOVE what they do. The people who are being mean to Mayer DO sound jealous and they are VERY judgemental like their ish don't stink. We all make choices that probably aren't choices someone else will agree with but WHO CARES! It's Mayer's life and if she wants to be a shining employee by returning to work after 2 weeks of maternity leave, I say GO FOR IT!
I was in the military when I had my first child and I returned 2 weeks early because after my son was on a schedule, why do I need to sit there and look at him for 24 hours? If it makes some of you happy though, I was home with him for 6 weeks before deciding to return to work 2 early. I had 2 months totally of leave that I had saved up.
I have skills, talent and I am highly trained and educated to do a job and the military needed me back at work more than my son did. I enrolled him in daycare and he is a VERY social, independent 8 year old now. He has transitioned MUCH better to school than my 6 year old who I stayed at home with. And my 6 and 8 year old BOTH adore and respect me as their mother. So staying at home or going back to work made no difference for either of them.
And it does seem to be mostly women who are being extremely judgemental. Just because you are jealous or overwhelmed by your kids or chose to stay at home doesn't mean everyone else is horrible because they want to "have it all". I feel like women CAN have it all. I work full-time, am finishing my MBA in a few months and I have 2 bright sons who I love to see grow-up each day. I have a loving husband and we aren't rich but we have a good life because of our hardwork.
I, ONCE AGAIN, completely applaud Mayer and I really do wish her and her family all the best! She is an inspiration to women who are ridiculed for getting their degrees or going after the career they really want. You all complain all you want but while you're hating on us, we'll still be working hard to climb the corporate ladder. I hope that what I do today will open more doors for the women behind me so they can continue to have a choice to HAVE IT ALL if they so wish to.
I'm so disgusted by 99% of these comments. First of all, it doesn't say anything about a nanny. Does she have one? Maybe. Maybe not. Those who just assume have zero evidence. Perhaps Dad is staying home with baby, or grandmas and grandpas are helping out. Also, yes, I'm sure she works long hours. But do we know exactly which hours? Do we know that baby doesn't visit her several times a day? Do we know that she never ever sees her child? Nope.
I honestly think most of these comments come from jealousy and a lack of understanding. Different people, women, mothers, are in different situations. Does that make the stay-at-home mom or the broke single working mom, or any other mom better than Marissa Mayer? No. Just because she has a different family dynamic than others doesn't make her any less of a mother. Most kids spend time with grandmas, babysitters, or daycares anyway. What makes Marissa Mayer's alleged "nanny" any different? Once again, have we completely forgotten that the kid has a father? This woman has worked so incredibly hard her whole life and now she has the joy of being a mother. And we're going to judge and demonize her for it? REALLY? The truth is, we have no idea what her family dynamics are, what sort of schedule she's worked out with her company and her family, or ANYTHING about her other than she's a CEO who just had a baby.
Oh and if she was a male CEO whose wife just gave birth, we wouldn't even know about it because men are allowed to go conquor the universe and no one cares if they're being a good dad, as long as they're bringing home the bacon. Ridiculous.
Yes having a baby is easy if you have unlimited money and 24 hour nanny care. Try doing it as a single mother on a middle class income with no help from anybody. This lady is not a true reflection of a mother!!!
There's no "right" and "wrong" way to be a mother, as long as the child is getting what he/she needs and isn't being abused. Why do you think a single mother on a middle class income with no help is a true reflection of a mother? The best I can tell, a "true reflection of a mother" (if there is such a thing) is a woman who loves her child and does what she thinks is right for the child. Being judgemental toward her motherhood just makes you look jealous and bitter.
Having a baby is easy...it's the raising them that's difficult.
Any person who says having and raising a baby is easy, tells me they aren't actually doing it.
When I read her comments, I thought she was more saying the BABY is easy, not necessarily motherhood. I've heard lots of moms say, "Little Tommy is such an easy baby, he hardly ever cries" Etc. That's how I read it, at least.
Woops, double post.
God? She's too dumb to be a CEO!
What is the point of this article? 7 billion people on the planet, all were babies, and all the billions before. But its important that the Google lady says "The babys been easy"? With a hand off position and a Billion dollars... suppose it would be easy.
sorry about the typo, wont let me go back to fix it.
Everyone thinks their baby is special, and they are, to the immediate families and the parents... everyone else just has to pretend its special and not just another little fat needy crying thing. :-)
She works for Yahoo! not Google.
uh, thats why I said I was sorry for the typo in my second comment. But glad you got to shoot that out if it made you feel better.
I wouldn't be bragging about being the CEO of yahoo...... A company that is rapidly becoming more and more irrelevant.
Of course things are easy if all you do as a parent is to pop out the baby and run back to work not providing any care for the child. To keep a job as CEO you must be available 24/7 and not take advantage of leaves. She really didn't have any choice but to hire all the help she needs so that she can go back to running a company that desperately needs to turn itself around and make itself relevant again.
I really wish people would stop making fun of others that have faith. The belligerent right wing of the republican party doesn't speak for all religious folk. So she mentions God, if that means nothing to you go ahead and ignore what amounts to a figure of speech.
Yep, raising a baby is VERY easy when you pay some else to take care of him/her all day.
Yep, raising a baby is very easy when you pay someone take care of him/her all day.
God is it? Well that explains all the nutjobs who post political extremist BS on all your news regardless of the subject matter. Yahoo is a GOP corporation.
It's great that this woman thinks everything is so easy and she's lucky to have a baby who is "easy." However, it is clear she won't be around as the primary care-taker. Some have indicated she may have parents who help or nanny's, possibly even her husband. Parents and nanny's do not take the place of parents and, let's face it, when a parent is not the primary care giver, they miss will miss the many, many joys of raising their children; the moments you can never truly appreciate unless you are there. I raised my daughter as a single parent and while she was enrolled in the top early childhood center in my area, it killed me every day to leave her in the care of others. As she grew older, she was always much happier and more secure when she knew I was home, even if she was still in school are at a friend's home. I am not criticizing this woman, but the fact is, you can't have it all. There is always compromise and there are always sacrifices. A baby only needs love. As he grows however, he will need a lot more time and attention from his parents and one hopes that any parent would put their child first. Otherwise, why bring them into the world in the first place. In my view, it is incredibly selfish to put your work ahead of your children, under any circumstance. While I know firsthand that there are no guarantees, children don't just magically appear and we all have to be realistic about why we are having them and be willing to commit to parenting 100%.
I'm going to assume you mean GRANDparents and nannies don't take the place of parents. You're correct. However, I don't understand why people are more apt to assume that nannies will be the primary caretaker when the child obviously has a father. Why aren't we assuming that he will be the primary caretaker? When a male CEO has a baby, no one gets their panties in a twist because we assume the wife will stay home with the baby. I have no idea what Marissa's husband does or if this is their situation, but I don't see why not.
Also, you're correct. There IS always compromise. But as long as Marissa and her husband are comfortable with the schedule/dynamic they've worked out, why is it any of our business?
No doubt God will get here before that asteroid in 2037 eh? Sure you thought about and covered all the bases before having that baby....best wear shades eh...since the future is so bright!
Of course having a baby is easy when you have nannies, servants and all other kinds of help to do the everyday things that the average person has to do.
What a sham Melissa has made and I hope this does not ruin the family leave time that the average family needs.
'god' is an idiotic idea promoted by immoral people to control and pacify the weak minded. Gotta be pretty dull to fall for that crap.
I love these stories. She is only a part time mother, because she doesn't take her baby to work with her. She chooses her job over full time care of her child...lets someone else do the dirty work. Way to go...
So is your disdain for ALL working mothers or just this one?
All I can say is she has her priorities in the right order, if she can do it that way Great for her. God has blessed her with a Great job and great attitude, most of what I have read her are from people who are nasty about her and their jobs and seem to have a bad attitude. Life is what you make of it. Why knock her for success.
Who's taking care of the baby? It's not her. I guess she thinks being a mother ends at the birth.