Dennis Paustenbach: I Never Thought of it as Work
18 Pages Posted: 5 Apr 2010
Abstract
Suitable for graduate level and executive education programs, this undisguised case describes the life of Dennis Paustenbach, president and CEO of ChemRisk, and what, to his mind, is the typical life of a senior executive: many demands on one's time, multiple projects, and serious consequences for inattention, both personally and professionally. This case can be used to teach students about individual behavior, Type A behavior, time and priority management, balancing work and family life, managing performance, managing energy in professional life styles, organizational behavior, and leadership.
Excerpt
UVA-OB-0988
August 22, 2009
DENNIS PAUSTENBACH: I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT AS WORK
As two of his scientific managers exited his office, Dennis Paustenbach, president and CEO of ChemRisk, grabbed his suit jacket and started putting it on as he followed them briskly down the hall, arms flying left and right. Paustenbach watched every minute of the day to make sure something productive was coming out of it. “I don't like to have time pass through my fingers,” he said:
For whatever reason, I am someone who always has to be productive nearly every minute of the day. It is clear to me that I have a pathological desire for learning. If I'm not continually stimulated with new information, then I tend to want to invest my time into some activity that takes my mind to another place…which usually occurs when fly-fishing, skiing, sailing, or golfing.
I have found that type A folks, especially those who are very successful in business, are drawn to fun activities which require their complete concentration and that are totally unlike what they do in their daily life journey.
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Keywords: Career planning, career management career choice, life work balance, uncertainty, family and work, leadership, personal change, industry icon, CEO
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