Autodesk CMO and Arkenstone founder share family management strategies
Dara and William Treseder use a prioritization framework to balance high-powered careers with family life. They rely on shared communication tools and clear non-negotiables to maintain stability.
Dara Treseder, chief marketing officer of Autodesk, and William Treseder, founder of defense tech startup Arkenstone and a U.S. Marine, have developed a structured approach to managing their professional demands alongside their marriage and two children. The couple utilizes a "glass balls and rubber balls" framework to prioritize their commitments. In this model, glass balls represent non-negotiables such as marriage, children's well-being, health, and financial stability, which must not be broken. Rubber balls represent other commitments that can be dropped intentionally when necessary. This hierarchy allows them to make deliberate choices about where to focus their energy without compromising core family values.
To maintain alignment, the Treseders use a shared journal for communication that avoids immediate critique, allowing for open expression. They also track family goals on a whiteboard, including a "family NPS" metric focused on the quality of their marriage and parenting. William Treseder noted that he has 76 days left to decide whether to re-enlist in the Marines for another four years, a decision they are discussing openly with their children. The couple argues that effective leadership in a chaotic era requires clear hierarchical values and consistent communication to maintain family stability amidst professional pressures.