This Cisco exec's 7-day weeks and 18-hour days throw his work-life balance out of whack—but he makes two things non-negotiable

Jeetu Patel gestures (Credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

For many executives, climbing to the top of the corporate ladder comes with clear perks—corner offices, big salaries, and the ability to steer strategy in real time. It also means that work is never far from mind.

For Cisco’s chief product officer, Jeetu Patel, that reality translates into working seven days a week, typically starting around 6 a.m. and sometimes stretching past midnight. Yet even with marathon days, Patel insists his version of balance only works because he sets strict guardrails.