Mon Jan 13 06:29:50 UTC 2025: ## Mahindra Champions Liberal Arts and Work-Life Balance, Counters L&T CEO’s 90-Hour Work Week Proposal

**Mumbai, India** – Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding work-life balance, directly addressing recent comments by L&T CEO SN Subrahmanyan who advocated for a 90-hour work week. Speaking at a Firstpost event, Mahindra championed the importance of a well-rounded education, including the liberal arts, for effective decision-making in the professional world.

Mahindra emphasized that exposure to arts and culture enhances critical thinking and provides a broader perspective essential for leadership roles. He challenged the notion that long working hours equate to productivity, stating, “Don’t ask me how many hours I work; ask me about the quality of my work.” He further underscored the importance of personal time, questioning, “If you’re not spending time at home, with friends, or reading, how will you bring the right inputs to your decisions?”

His comments come in direct response to Subrahmanyan’s controversial statement suggesting a 90-hour work week, including Sundays, which sparked widespread debate. Mahindra offered a witty retort, stating, “My wife is wonderful, and I love staring at her,” while highlighting the value of a balanced life. An L&T spokesperson later clarified that the 90-hour suggestion reflected ambitious goals, not a company mandate.

Mahindra also discussed his effective use of social media, emphasizing its value as a business tool for gathering real-time feedback from his 11.4 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). He clarified that his social media presence is strategic, not a reflection of loneliness, and allows him to leverage the platform for informed decision-making. This exchange adds to the ongoing conversation sparked by similar comments from Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy regarding longer work hours. The debate continues to highlight the tension between ambitious professional goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Read More