#609
The recent uproar over L&T Chairman Subramanhyan’s comments about working 90-hour weeks has been nothing short of perplexing. Add to that Narayana Murthy’s earlier remarks advocating a 70-hour work week, and you’ve got a chorus of complaints about “exploitation” and “unrealistic expectations.” But is it really such a big deal? From my experience, these kinds of work schedules are not new, nor are they unreasonable under certain circumstances. Let’s not miss the forest for the trees.
I never comment on anything Indian—it is not worth the bother. Beyond my Indian wife’s words, anything about India feels irrelevant, irrational, immaterial, idiotic, or insane to waste time on. However, this topic struck a personal chord, so here I go. For context, my India begins and ends with Malleswaram (West!).
Between 1988 and 1990, I worked 90-hour weeks effortlessly, month after month for good 6-7 months and few short bursts thereafter. This was not some mundane 9-to-9 drudgery. It was high-stakes, high-impact work involving troubleshooting in the manufacturing of life-saving drugs. My shift ran from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., seven days a week. The issues were complex and required immediate solutions to ensure operations didn’t grind to a halt. The work demanded focus, resilience, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
Yes, the rewards were modest by today’s standards—free meals at the best restaurant near the site and extra hours credited for my vacations to Karaikudi (a 1,900-km journey, mind you). But the satisfaction of solving critical problems and seeing the results delivered was immeasurable. As Ronaldo Sr. once said, it was “better than sex.”
To those who argue that such work schedules are unsustainable, I say this: Nobody is suggesting you do it forever. Even Subramanian’s comments, if taken in context, were likely aimed at specific phases of high-intensity work that arise occasionally. These periods can be vital learning curves, exposing you to challenges that build resilience, skill, and a deeper understanding of your field. Working these intense hours once every few years is not exploitation; it’s an investment in your own growth.
The Bigger Picture
The outrage surrounding these statements seems to stem from a broader cultural shift. Many from the current generation view long hours as a form of exploitation rather than an opportunity. The focus has shifted from quality and excellence to superficial metrics like work-life balance, often at the cost of career growth.
Here’s the truth: If you’re unwilling to bend your back and stretch yourself during critical moments, the rewards will not come thick and fast. The path to excellence is rarely comfortable. My 90-hour weeks taught me the intricacies of troubleshooting and problem-solving in real-time. They prepared me to ace interviews and equipped me with the skills to tackle challenges throughout my career.
Are We Missing the Point?
The discussions around this topic seem silly because they miss the bigger picture. Long hours are not inherently bad. What matters is the purpose and outcome of those hours. If you’re engaged in meaningful, impactful work that adds to your growth, the hours you put in are an investment, not a burden.
Instead of debating whether 90-hour weeks are “fair,” we should focus on the lessons these periods of intensity can teach us:
Building Resilience: Stretching yourself in tough situations builds character and endurance. These are invaluable traits in both personal and professional life.
Learning by Doing: Immersing yourself in high-pressure scenarios gives you hands-on experience that no classroom or training session can replicate.
Earning Satisfaction: The joy of delivering results and overcoming challenges outweighs the temporary discomfort of long hours.
A Note for Critics
To those who criticise these work philosophies, consider this: Excellence and mediocrity cannot coexist. The satisfaction of achieving something extraordinary often demands extraordinary effort. If you’re not willing to put in the effort when it matters, how can you expect extraordinary results?
Of course, balance is important. Nobody should work 90-hour weeks their entire life. But during critical phases, these hours can provide the push needed to achieve greatness. Instead of dismissing such work schedules outright, why not view them as an opportunity to grow?
I am also sure, while Mr Subrahmanyan demand 90 hr week from employees, the reward for stellar performance, will be mind boggling as are perks/ facilities that employee enjoy. My personal feeling is 99% L& T Folks would wonder what the fuss is all about!? That is how world class entities operate!!! (You pay peanuts- You get Monkeys!).
Closing Thoughts
To the current generation, I offer this piece of advice: Stop viewing work as a burden and start seeing it as a means to personal and professional fulfilment. Hard work, especially during the early stages of your career, pays dividends for years to come. The key is not to shy away from challenges but to embrace them with purpose and commitment.
Karthik
19th Jan 2025
11am.
End Note: Did I ever work 90-hour weeks post-marriage in 1991? No, the chance didn’t come. But international/ business travel, clocking 35 to 40 weeks a year like a road warrior, was as good as doing 90 hours a week. Did I miss family? Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I was away from home.
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