Hamish McLennan on Stepping Down

March 17, 2011 at 9:00 PM UTC

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This article is part of the March 21, 2011 issue of businessweek.

When I became CEO five years ago, my wife and I felt it was an incredible opportunity—not just for me but for our family. The world was becoming more global, and we thought the move to New York would challenge the kids. When we left Sydney, we thought we wouldn't be back for a long time.

I'm ambitious: I've spent 25 years being a racehorse. You strive to get to the top of your game, and you enjoy it—but it can become all-consuming. The reality is that you can't have a global role and spend much time with your kids. We have 186 offices across 90 countries, and I have to spend up to three weeks a month on the road. It's hard for anyone in an executive role to strike a balance: You have a constant tension between wanting to excel at work and wanting to bring up a great family.