‘Indian parenting is full of contradictions’: Anupam Mittal says culture at home and work is caught, not taught

Shark Tank India judge and Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal recently shared his thoughts on parenting, leadership, and workplace culture, pointing out the deep contradictions in how values are often preached but rarely practiced.

In a post on LinkedIn, Mittal noted that Indian parenting tends to give mixed signals to children. He listed some common contradictions, writing:

• “Express yourself!” … but not with elders
  
  
• “Be confident!” … but only when convenient
  
  
• “Be happy!” … but follow the path we’ve already picked
  
  

Mittal pointed out that such conflicting instructions explain why, according to a Harvard study, only 22% of children said they would turn to their parents when something felt wrong.


He candidly admitted that he too had fallen into the same trap with his daughter, often reminding her to “read more, eat better, spend less time on screens.” However, one day his daughter retorted: “But you’re always on your phone.” That moment, Mittal said, hit harder than any parenting book, reminding him that children don’t do what you say, but what you do.

Drawing a parallel with workplace culture, Mittal emphasized that teams function in a similar way. “Want curiosity? Join the AI experiments yourself. Want empathy? Talk to customers every week. Want focus? Put your own phone face down first,” he wrote. For him, the key lesson was clear: culture, whether at home or at work, is caught, not taught.

The post resonated with many professionals online. One user commented, “Actions always speak louder than words, whether at home or at work. Teams mirror the habits and mindset of their leaders.” Another added, “Culture can’t be forced through manuals or motivational talks—it emerges from everyday actions.”

Many lauded Mittal’s honesty and humility, with one user remarking, “Adults and parents are in the free advice business. Your daughter is lucky to have you! Awesome reflection, Anupam.”