Whitney Wolfe Herd on Burnout & Recovery

Whitney Wolfe Herd Reassumes Leadership at Bumble

Whitney Wolfe Herd has once again taken the helm of Bumble, the dating application she established and guided through its initial public offering. This return follows the unanticipated resignation of former CEO Lidiane Jones.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Wolfe Herd detailed the circumstances surrounding her return. Initially, she had no plans to resume her role at the company.

From Stepping Back to Stepping Up

Following her departure, Wolfe Herd grappled with questions concerning her personal identity. This period of introspection led to a practice of daily meditation and continued involvement through participation in board meetings.

The situation shifted when Jones communicated that she was feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the position. Shortly thereafter, Jones tendered her resignation.

No Discord Between Leaders

Wolfe Herd directly refuted suggestions of any disagreement between herself and Jones. “There’s no riff,” she stated, emphasizing the lack of conflict.

She believes there is a tendency to assume conflict, especially between women in leadership positions.

Recognizing Shared Experiences

Wolfe Herd identified with Jones’s experience, recognizing parallels to her own past burnout. “I felt like I was looking in a mirror,” she explained.

She noted that Jones had mirrored some of the same patterns she herself had previously exhibited, such as consistently working extended hours and undertaking unnecessary travel.

Addressing Company Performance and Future Outlook

Wolfe Herd, who announced her third pregnancy on Instagram this past Friday, also discussed the challenges facing Bumble. The company recently reported a 7.7% decrease in first-quarter earnings compared to the previous year.

She expressed a strong sense of responsibility, stating, “Bumble needs me back.” She views the company as an extension of herself and acknowledged the difficulty of witnessing its decline from its previous success.

Bumble’s future, she implies, is inextricably linked to her continued leadership.