Hustle culture, defined by an unyielding drive for success and productivity, often puts excessive pressure on employees to work harder and longer. While some individuals may adopt this mindset, it carries significant risks. The relentless pursuit of success, combined with a disregard for work-life balance, can result in burnout, anxiety, and negatively impact mental and physical health. Despite many industry leaders advocating for hustle culture, Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Swiggy Food and Marketplace, argues that it is a misguided approach. In a recent event, he emphasized that working late into the night at the expense of health and personal relationships is counterproductive.
During a conversation with Shradha Sharma at Techsparks in Bengaluru, Kapoor remarked that while there are days when late work is necessary, it shouldn’t be a daily occurrence. He stated, “But wo jo 3 baje raat ko baithte hai na wo ye nahi batate ki wo 1 baje dopahar ko office ate hai (Those who say they work till 3 am, never say that they reach the office by 1 pm next day).” He expressed strong disapproval of this culture and encouraged individuals to prioritize time with family and loved ones.
Kapoor reiterated that while hard work is essential and that one must work “d**n hard,” it shouldn’t come at the cost of personal life. His comments resonated widely, with the video attracting over 32,000 likes and many agreeing with his perspective. Others voiced their strong opinions on the glorification of hustle culture, calling for it to be challenged.
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Social media reactions included remarks like, “Narayan Murthy getting panic attacks watching this,” referencing the tech mogul’s controversial advice for youngsters to work 70 hours a week.
Another user added, “Narayana Murthy crying in the corner.”
One supporter praised Kapoor, stating, “Finally, someone talked like normal to all of us,” while another commented, “More people need to talk about this.”
A fifth person expressed relief, saying, “Finally, someone said this; otherwise, people have been blowing the trumpet of hustle culture.”*
Rohit Kapoor brings significant experience to his role as CEO of Swiggy. He started his career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in 2000 and later moved to Max India Limited as Senior Strategy & Business Performance Director in 2012. After a year, he became Executive Director and Board Member at Max Healthcare before taking on various roles at OYO. In 2022, he joined Swiggy as the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Marketplace.
