‘Love staring at my wife’: Anand Mahindra bats for work-life balance amid 90-hr workweek controversy sparked by L&T chairman
New Delhi: Addressing the ongoing debate around work-life balance and extended working hours championed by some corporate leaders, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared his perspective, advocating for prioritising the quality of work over the quantity, reported ANI.
Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, Mahindra expressed his disagreement with the emphasis on the number of working hours.
“I deeply respect Narayana Murthy (Infosys founder) and others. But I must say, I think this debate is misguided," Mahindra stated, addressing young professionals, reported ANI.
"My belief is that we need to focus on the quality of work, not the number of hours. It’s not about working 40, 48, or even 70 hours. What matters is the output you achieve, even in 10 hours—you can change the world in that time," he remarked, said the report.
Mahindra's remarks came amid controversy sparked by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who recently suggested a 90-hour workweek during an employee interaction.
Mahindra highlighted that several countries are exploring or adopting a four-day workweek, aligning with the idea of optimising productivity rather than stretching work hours.
He emphasised the importance of leaders and team members making well-informed decisions.
“The ability to make the right choices comes from a mind exposed to holistic thinking and diverse inputs from across the globe,” he said, advocating for the integration of liberal arts into education for professionals like engineers and MBAs.
"You make better decisions when you have a whole-brain approach, informed by arts and culture. Spending time with family, friends, and even reading or reflecting is essential. Without these, how can you bring the right inputs into decision-making?" he questioned, reported ANI.
Drawing on his automotive business, Mahindra explained that understanding family needs is crucial to designing the right cars.
“If we spend all our time in the office and not with families, how will we understand what they need in a car?” he argued.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, "Open your windows, let the air in," reiterating the necessity of stepping out of a narrow work focus.
When asked how many hours he works, Mahindra avoided giving a specific number, reiterating that the debate shouldn’t revolve around hours.
“Ask me about the quality of my work, not the hours I put in,” he said.
Responding to questions about his social media usage, Mahindra, known for his active presence online, explained its utility as a business tool.
"I’m not on social media because I’m lonely. My wife is wonderful, and I enjoy spending time with her. I’m here because it’s an incredible business tool,” he remarked.
The debate on work hours has been reignited recently, with Infosys’s Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocating for a longer workweek, sparking criticism over its impact on work-life balance.
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