Marjorie Scardino |
Marjorie
Scardino is Chief Executive of Pearson plc. She oversees
a company of 30,000 people, with an annual turnover of
about £4bn. Pearson is an international media company
with market leading businesses in education, business
information and consumer publishing. |
|
This month, Dorling Kindersley (part of Pearson plc) publishes
Balancing Work and Life - a book designed to teach people
how to manage the demands of work and home more skilfully. We
asked Marjorie her thoughts on how to achieve success within
both the workplace and one's personal life.
|
You have had an exemplary career -
currently Chief Executive of Pearson plc, you were Chief Executive
of The Economist Group until 1997, and partner in a law firm
before that. What personal characteristics do you believe contributed
to your success?
|
| |
I suspect it was more
the personal characteristics of others that contributed
to whatever successes I've had - practically perfect husband
and children; brave people who hired me and gave me a
chance when I was an illogical choice for the job; talented
colleagues to rely on who knew what they were doing. The
qualities I most needed where the ability to refrain from
taking myself or setbacks or successes too seriously;
to know when to get out of the way of those colleagues;
and a sincere concern for the situation and welfare of
the people in the company. I won't say I always exhibited
those qualities, they were just ones I took most seriously.
|
|
|
Balancing Work and Life explores how
to avoid workaholism and burnout within the workplace. How do
you personally cope with the pressures of a demanding career?
|
| |
I don't have any special
formula. Feeling that the work I do has meaning is a great
help. My family keeps me honest - mostly by reminding
me I'm spending too much time doing things that look boring
to them.
|
|
|
To quote Balancing Work and Life:
'Your life is like a jigsaw: it is made up of different pieces.
Ensure that you make time for each aspect of your life - your
relationships, family, leisure time, work, and self-improvement...'
You are married with 3 children. Have you ever found it difficult
to juggle work and a family - and what advice could you offer
for those of us that do?
|
| |
I am sure the advice
is right, but I never found juggling in a methodical way
(Tuesdays are for...) very appealing. I like a little
chaos. I'm sure I haven't done a textbook job of juggling
family and work, and that my family has taken up a lot
of slack. The only advice I can offer is - be clear about
which comes first when there's a contest.
|
|
|
The average employee is working 15%
more hours than they were 10 years ago, yet books such as Balancing
Work and Life give us an increased awareness of the importance
of having a rich and fulfilled personal life. Do you feel that
such awareness has increased over the past decade, or are we
neglecting our personal lives more than ever?
|
| |
I don't know. But I
do think that we should, every once in a while, stop to
consider what we're spending that extra 15% of time on.
Is it important or perfunctory? Is it worth our time?
Are we working longer rather than concentrating when we
work on getting things done and moving on? Perhaps the
social framework is changing and work colleagues are better
friends and we spend more time talking to them, for instance.
|
|
|
Balancing Work and Life stresses how
important it is for managers to 'lead by example'. How do you
help to ensure that your colleagues at Pearson plc maintain
a healthy work/life balance?
|
| |
I try very hard to make
it clear that the view in our company is that your family
comes first. When they really need you, nothing is as
important.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Want to
learn more about how to reach fulfillment
in your life? Click on the image (left) to find out
about the Happiness Project! |
|
dorling kindersley books 
View basket |
Free P&P on UK
are registered and/or unregistered trade marks of Dorling Kindersley Limited.