Gautam Adani shares views on work-life balance: "it’s a personal choice"

Founder and Chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani, weighed in on the ongoing debate around work-life balance, emphasizing that it should be treated as a personal choice rather than a universal standard.

Speaking to the media, Adani remarked, “If you enjoy what you do, then you have your version of work-life balance. My work-life balance should not be imposed on you, nor should yours be imposed on me.” He highlighted the diversity in how individuals define balance, suggesting that it depends on personal preferences and priorities.

Using humor to illustrate his point, Adani added, “If someone finds joy spending four hours with their family, that’s their balance. If someone else prefers spending eight hours, that’s theirs. But if you spend eight hours with your family, biwi bhaag jayegi (your wife might run away).”

Adani’s comments come amidst heated discussions sparked by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s advocacy for a 70-hour workweek to accelerate India’s progress. Murthy first proposed the idea in 2023, urging the younger generation to work harder for the nation’s growth.

While Murthy’s suggestion received mixed reactions - ranging from criticism by health experts to praise by business leaders like Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal - it reignited conversations about the balance between work and personal life.

Contrasting Murthy’s approach, Adani underscored the importance of finding joy in one’s pursuits, whether that involves longer hours at work or more time with family. “Work-life balance is about what you enjoy doing, not a one-size-fits-all concept,” he said.