Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys and a prominent figure in the Indian business landscape, has sparked a spirited debate when he suggested that young professionals in India should commit to a 12-hour workday for the next few years. His comments, made during an insightful conversation with Mohandas Pai, were met with a heated debate. Some prominent corporate leaders have endorsed Mr. Murthy's perspective, aligning it with India's current economic standing and the remarkable opportunities that lie ahead. On the other hand, some question the impact of burnout and its effects on well-being.

Firstly, if you are reading this, I am inviting you to watch the complete interview for a deeper understanding of the context behind Mr. Murthy's statement. In my view, Mr. Murthy's intent transcends the mere number of hours he mentioned. It's about recognising the vast potential before India and understanding the significant effort and dedication required to seize these opportunities.

In the interview, Mr. Murthy reflects on India's economic journey, emphasising the challenges faced during the liberalization of 1991. He reflects that, for the first time in 300 years, India stands at the center of global attention. He invites the younger generation to take charge and enhance this newfound respect. How does he believe they can achieve this? In his view, through performance. According to Mr. Murthy, performance leads to recognition, respect, and, ultimately, power.

Now, let's address the 12-hour workday comment. It's important not to fixate on the specific number of hours. When you take that statement in isolation, you miss out on 52 minutes of context! What Mr. Murthy is emphasising is the enormous effort required to harness these opportunities.

India's economic accomplishments in the last decade are nothing short of remarkable. The GDP has expanded by a staggering 71%, positioning India as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. With a population of 1.4 billion people, India is on the verge of becoming the most populous nation on Earth. The private sector is flourishing, contributing 24% of the GDP, and substantial investments in key industries are on the horizon. How can these potentials be harnessed?

I think we have a huge opportunity ahead of us to redefine what productivity is all about:

1. Aligning work with individual strengths and natural abilities.

2. Cultivating a work environment of trust with optimal support, including colleagues, managers, advanced technology, and AI.

3. Ensuring that the hours invested in work are focused, purposeful, and impactful.

Mr. Murthy even draws a parallel with post-World War II work in Germany and Japan, where citizens worked extra hours to rebuild their nations. Nevertheless, to say, once again, understand the intent. Clearly, the context has changed, and our understanding of work-life balance and well-being has evolved and its linkage to productivity.

Rather than dwelling on the debate surrounding the 12-hour workday, let's concentrate on the broader message Mr. Murthy is conveying.

This is an opportunity for organisations to reassess their operational strategies, talent management, and corporate culture to enhance productivity.

Productivity isn't solely determined by the hours clocked in. It's about matching individuals with roles that align with their strengths, providing them with the best support, and ensuring their work hours are focused and purposeful.

Narayana Murthy's message is an invitation to embrace this challenge and adapt to the changing landscape of work in India. It's a chance for CHROs and leaders to reimagine talent and culture in this exciting new era of work.

What's your take?

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