Work-Family Expert on Balancing

Stew Friedman is a renowned expert on integrating work and family. A management professor at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania since 1984, he's the author of Work and Family -- Allies or Enemies? and Integrating Work and Life: The Wharton Resource Guide. In 1997, Working Mother magazine chose him as one of America's 25 most influential men in having made things better for working parents. Naturally, I thought he'd be a good interviewee for this blog.

What changes have you seen in the last 20 years in terms of challenges facing working moms, within corporate America, academia and entrepreneurial fields?

SF: It's somewhat easier for women to feel accepted in positions of power and, very slowly, men are taking up a bit more responsibility on the home front.

What are your suggestions for companies trying to attract and retain talented working mothers? Are the suggestions different for attracting working fathers?

SF: Flexibility and investment in the whole person -- both moms and dads need it!

What is the biggest challenge facing working mothers today? What is the most common mistake you see women making?

SF: Biggest challenge? Not feeling guilty about finding ways of taking care of yourself. Most common mistake? Forsaking personal life.

What is your advice to women who are not yet moms in terms of finding work/life balance?

SF: Start now to clarify what matters most -- don't wait because it only gets more complex over time.

Now -- what are your answers to these questions?

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  May 8, 2006; 6:50 AM ET  | Category:  Tips
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