Cricket legend Kapil Dev recently made a simple yet profound statement: “Please don’t compare. You cannot compare one generation with another. That is not required.” While the remark was aimed at sports, its relevance extends well beyond the field, into corporate boardrooms and leadership discussions. It brings into focus the persistent outlook of corporate titans like Mr. Narayana Murthy and Mr. Subrahmanya, whose narratives about grueling work schedules of the past often come across less as wisdom and more as unwarranted expectations for future generations.
The underlying message is clear: “We built this nation with our relentless effort and sacrifice. Now it’s your responsibility to follow suit.” While their contributions to nation-building are monumental, this line of thought has begun to resemble the unsolicited advice of the proverbial “arrogant fufaji,” dictating outdated principles without acknowledging the drastically changed realities faced by younger generations.
The “Great Sacrifice” – Legacy or Unending Obligation?
Corporate pioneers have indeed laid the groundwork for India’s advancements in IT, infrastructure, and medicine. Their commitment to working through weekends, sacrificing holidays, and embracing nascent technology when guidance was scarce deserves applause. These tales of overcoming adversity are both inspiring and important.
However, expecting millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha to replicate that same hustle—believing that success is contingent on seven-day workweeks and relentless toil—feels patronizing. By this logic, should these leaders have abandoned their careers to join freedom movements simply because their ancestors did? Or perhaps, every generation can contribute uniquely, forging its own path to progress.
Hustle Culture vs. Exploitation
“Work six or seven days a week,” they say. “Sacrifice weekends for the greater good.” These statements often come across as a command rather than guidance. Yet, in today’s corporate reality, this hustle is rarely about nation-building and more about maximizing profit margins. While profitability is a valid goal, it hardly justifies uncompensated overwork.
If these extended hours came with proportional rewards, the response might be different. Most young professionals value hard work when it is acknowledged, respected, and rewarded. But when it is demanded without incentive, it begins to sound less like a legacy of hard work and more like exploitation.
The Myth of “Harder Means Better”
The challenges of one era should not diminish the struggles or achievements of another. For instance, the independence generation faced invasions and colonial rule, shaping an entirely different reality. Should today’s youth feel inadequate simply because they didn’t experience such hardships?
Technological progress and societal advancements have changed the landscape of work. Millennials and Gen Z have tools and freedoms that were unimaginable decades ago, but this does not diminish their contributions. Progress is about moving forward, not clinging to the past.
As Kapil Dev pointed out, comparing generations is neither fair nor productive. The successes of one era should complement the innovations of the next, not serve as a benchmark for imitation.
The “Arrogant Fufaji” Syndrome
Corporate leaders who insist on glorifying past sacrifices while belittling present efforts risk sounding like the family fufaji, recounting his uphill journeys to school—barefoot, in the snow, uphill both ways. While his stories might hold value, the insistence that everyone else must endure the same struggles becomes grating.
This attitude often manifests in dismissive statements such as, “You can’t work a six-day week? Let’s see you build the new India!” or “We worked without weekends; you should too.” Such rhetoric, though understandable, risks alienating younger generations who are navigating a vastly different work environment.
Prioritizing Balance Over Burnout
It is a misconception that millennials and Gen Z shy away from hard work. The thriving gig economy, start-up culture, and side hustles clearly demonstrate their willingness to go beyond the traditional nine-to-five. However, these generations also prioritize balance—valuing mental health, personal growth, and family time alongside their careers.
For them, success isn’t measured solely by hours logged at work but by the quality of their contributions and the harmony they maintain in their lives.
The Cost of Refusal to Adapt
If corporate giants of the past remain rigid, they risk losing relevance and respect. Much like the family fufaji whose views become a source of amusement rather than wisdom, their inability to evolve could undermine their legacy. Worse, it might create dissatisfaction and disengagement among the very workforce they hope to inspire.
What Needs to Change
- Redefine the Narrative: Celebrate the achievements of today\u2019s workforce while acknowledging the distinct challenges they face.
- Reward Fairly: If extended work hours are required, ensure that compensation—financial and otherwise—is proportional.
- Embrace Change: Recognize that technological and cultural advancements are not threats but tools for building on past successes.
- Foster Collaboration: Encourage intergenerational partnerships that treat differences as strengths rather than obstacles.
- Lead with Empathy: Understand that leadership is as much about listening and adapting as it is about guiding.
The Bottom Line
The accomplishments of corporate leaders from earlier generations deserve immense respect. However, their contributions should serve as stepping stones for the future, not as burdens that dictate the terms of progress. Each generation faces unique challenges and leaves its own indelible mark.
As Kapil Dev wisely pointed out, comparing generations is unnecessary and counterproductive. Progress is a relay race; the baton must be passed gracefully, not clung to with stubborn pride. Otherwise, the corporate giants of yesteryears may risk being remembered less as visionary leaders and more as “arrogant fufajis,” stubbornly out of touch with the world they helped create.