The abrupt departure of Laxman Narasimhan from Starbucks Corporation, followed by the appointment of Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol as his replacement, has sent shockwaves through the coffee giant. But it was an old video of Narasimhan discussing his disciplined work-life balance that truly captured the internet’s attention.
In an interview for Fortune Magazine, Narasimhan shared his strict approach to separating work and personal life, stating that he “doesn’t work after 6 pm.” “I am very disciplined about balance. It is anything after 6 pm, and if I am in town then it’s got to be a pretty high bar to keep me away from family,” he said. The video, which has been widely shared on social media, has led to a flurry of commentary and speculation about the potential role his work-life balance philosophy played in his sudden exit.
The timing of the video’s resurfacing, coinciding with Narasimhan’s departure, has sparked debates online. Many social media users have questioned whether his rigid work-life balance stance contributed to his firing, particularly in light of Starbucks’ recent struggles.
Starbucks has reported two consecutive quarters of declining comparable sales, and its stock price has plummeted by 20% this year. The company has also been facing pressure from investors like Elliott Investment Management and Starboard Value, as well as former CEO Howard Schultz, to address the declining sales.
“Now it makes sense why Starbucks would be so eager to replace the CEO. I don’t know him personally, but in that role, to put a 6 pm hard limit (aside from anything else) is sufficient, unfortunately,” wrote one user on X.
“If you say something like this when the stock price is doing well, you sound like a genius. But if it’s not doing well…you get fired,” read another comment on the post, highlighting the potential consequences of Narasimhan’s statement amidst the company’s challenges.
While some speculate about the impact of Narasimhan’s work-life balance approach, others remain unsure about the specific factors that led to his dismissal. “Was it not working past six or was it just a bad CEO not understanding the product or the environment? It’s hard to tell. Maybe it’s all of it. Maybe it’s one of it who knows,” an X user shared, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Regardless of the reasons behind Narasimhan’s departure, the viral video has ignited a discussion about the role of work-life balance in leadership, particularly in the face of corporate challenges. As Starbucks navigates its current difficulties and seeks to regain its footing, the company’s decision to replace Narasimhan with Niccol has sparked a wave of curiosity and scrutiny.
