Carl Eschenbach's path was shaped by a relentless drive and a commitment to family. He left VMware to prioritize raising his children, but the itch to operate never faded. At Sequoia, he learned from cutting-edge startups but missed building enduring businesses. His return to Workday as co-CEO was driven by a desire to serve and end his career in an operating role. He emphasizes the importance of humility, servant leadership, and learning from failures. Carl's advice to founders: create must-have products, hire to offset weaknesses, and stay grounded. He also shares his personal 'big regret'—missing his father's final moments—which solidified his family-first values. At Workday, he focuses on hiring for grit, humility, and integrity, and prefers inspirational leadership over motivational pushing. His story is a testament to balancing ambition with significance.