Creating the perfect work-life balance is difficult, and working for yourself may make it nearly impossible, according to entrepreneurs Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal, who appeared together on multiple seasons of the renowned reality show Shark Tank India.
During a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Namita Thapar discussed work-life balance, stating that while business owners must work long hours, 'ordinary' salaried employees are not required to. However, Anupam Mittal held a different opinion.
When asked if he believed work-life balance was feasible and his thoughts on the controversy around it, Anupam said, “I think it is a big lie that's being told to this generation, and I think it stinks because you are not ever going to... okay this is for people who want to achieve something extraordinary in life... you are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours that you are putting in. Work-life harmony and flexibility, all that I understand.”
He then discussed how his company's productivity has increased by 30% as a result of a hybrid work paradigm, which allows employees to balance their personal and professional lives.
He added, “But simply clocking hours as a means of defining work-life balance is destroying a whole generation. We work 16 hours a day because we believe so much in what we are trying to build; and we never looked at our clocks and watches, although we were on salaries. I think that really builds character, right? When you struggle... success builds ego, but struggle builds character. I think people need to really go all in as far as (possible) if they want to achieve (something) in the early part of their career when they still have the energy and the clarity in terms of what they want.”
Namita interrupts and comments, "This is a crock of bull****. Please pardon my language. I totally disagree. I apologise for interrupting you, Anupam."
Namita then explained, “Basically this whole discussion and argument that is going on, pardon my language, is a crock of bull****. I will give you three data points, very specific data points. No. 1, when Emcure went public, it was $3 billion, my family owns 80 percent, so imagine the kind of wealth I am making. The founders, set of co-founders and top management, look at the kind of money they are making. Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, which is what we all do. But the employee? Today, my accountant is making a salary, he does not have the upside of putting in that kind of hours. If he is going to put in that kind of hours, my second data point is, he is going to have serious, serious, serious physical and mental health issues.”
She further quipped, “So, I think for founders and high stakeholders, who make tons of money — go for it. Work 24 hours a day forever! But I think for the common man and woman... (there needs to be) a certain number of hours that they are supposed to work, and of course when there are deliverables... people work longer hours, but it is not on a non-stop, standard number basis.”
Namita also added, “Third thing: For God's sake, don't get married and have children because the next generation is suffering because of non-existent parents... just spare them the misery and mental health issues due to having an absentee parent. So, I think for people with high stakes, yes (work long hours), but for common employees, have a reasonable work limit, knowing that there will be some blips during the deliverable time, but it cannot be a constant 70-hour work week, which is what a lot of people are proposing.”
Anupam andVineeta also shared how most deals don't go beyond the Shark Tank India stage owning to due diligence.
When recently asked about the most unusual thing he did to promote his brand during the early days of his entrepreneurial journey, Ashneer humorously shared, “I once approached Anupam Mittal to raise funds. He kept making me run in circles without giving me a single penny. Even now, he doesn’t give money to anyone—only ‘gyaan.’ I used to wait for him at the café below his office, near a dosa vendor.”
Keep reading this space for more updates.