Shark Tank India fame Radhika Gupta’s warning: Overworking will lead to early heart attacks, unhappy marriages...

L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion for employees to work 90-hour weeks and his remarks on “staring at your wife” have sparked significant online debate and criticism. While Deepika Padukone slammed the Chairman, Anand Mahindra emphasised focusing on quality of work instead. Now, the MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund and Shark Tank India fame, Radhika Gupta joined the debate.

Radhika Gupta recently shared a reflective perspective on work-life balance, recognizing the complexities of this ongoing debate. She emphasized the importance of hard work as a key factor in achieving success, noting that great accomplishments and thriving businesses are often built on consistent effort and dedication. However, she also pointed out that hard work is a personal choice tied to individual ambition, and not everyone aspires to reach the highest rungs of the corporate ladder. Some may prioritize a balanced life over intense career aspirations, and this is equally valid.

Reflecting on her own early career, she shared an experience of working extremely long hours, which often left her feeling exhausted and unproductive. She argued that productivity is not necessarily linked to hours worked and highlighted the need for a sustainable approach to work that allows for long-term growth and success. In her view, achieving high productivity requires focusing on meaningful tasks, leveraging technology, and fostering efficient work habits.



She stressed the importance of integrating family and mental health into the conversation about work. A culture that demands excessive hours without regard for personal well-being can lead to widespread issues like anxiety, strained relationships, and poor health. Drawing on her own life, she acknowledged that balancing career, family, and personal responsibilities is challenging, even with the privileges of support and resources.

Organizations, she noted, play a vital role in shaping workplace culture. While founders and CEOs may have economic motivations to work harder, employees are more likely to go above and beyond when they feel inspired and find purpose in their work. Forcing long hours is counterproductive according to her and instead, fostering an environment of mutual respect and motivation yields better results.

She called for a collective focus on happiness alongside economic growth. She believes that development should enable people to enjoy an improved quality of life, stronger families, and opportunities that the previous generation may not have experienced. Achieving this balance requires addressing fears—particularly among young people, including women—about the perceived incompatibility of career and family. She stated that it is essential to demonstrate that a fulfilling work-life balance is possible while contributing to the larger dream of a prosperous and happy nation.