Startup Co-founder Faces Backlash
A US-based startup co-founder, Emilio Van Cotthem, is under the spotlight on LinkedIn for glorifying a culture of overwork under the guise of ambition. Cotthem, the co-founder of Subscription Intern, shared a snapshot of his jam-packed weekend schedule, claiming to have “collapsed” from the workload. However, he later reversed his stance, turning his gruelling 31-meeting weekend into a badge of honor.
Defending the Work Ethic
In a subsequent update, Cotthem defended his relentless work ethic by stating, “You want to stay ahead? You have to work when your competition is ‘unplugging.'” Drawing parallels with tech icon Steve Jobs, he highlighted his refusal to take weekends off. He emphasized prioritizing work over the conventional work-life balance dynamic, asserting that he would strive for balance later, after achieving success.
The post gained significant attention online, with many individuals criticizing Cotthem not only for the tone of his post but also for advocating an unhealthy culture of overwork.
One user remarked, “Bro, this isn’t something to celebrate. Life is precious, and your work commitments won’t be present at your funeral.” Another questioned the worth of overworking to the point of physical collapse.
Standing Firm Amid Criticism
Despite facing backlash, Cotthem chose to stand his ground. He followed up with another post, showcasing an even busier schedule and defending what he termed as “madness.” Cotthem explained, “People claimed I ‘had no life,’ pointing to my packed 70+ meeting Google Calendar as evidence. However, while critics observed from afar, I was actively engaged in the pursuit of my goals.”
In detailing the outcomes of his intense work routine, Cotthem highlighted achievements such as a 25% sales conversion rate, accelerated sales cycle speed, enhanced customer satisfaction levels, and a heightened sense of dedication to his mission.
Cotthem concluded by emphasizing the importance of consistency in achieving mastery, expressing a lack of regret for his intense work ethic. He attributed his current success to the repetitive efforts that laid the groundwork for his accomplishments.
Reactions Online
Online commentators expressed varied opinions, with some criticizing the futility of spending weekends in unproductive meetings. One individual humorously remarked, “At this rate, your life seems to revolve around meetings alone.”
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