The conversation around work-life balance vs. extreme work hours has resurfaced, fueled by recent remarks from business leaders.
Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan suggested a 90-hour workweek, questioning, “How long can you stare at your wife?” and even advocating for working on Sundays. Meanwhile, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy urged young professionals to commit to 70-hour workweeks, emphasizing that hard work is essential for national productivity.
These comments have divided opinions. While some agree that relentless effort is key to success, many employees have pushed back, raising concerns about mental health, family life, and the long-term sustainability of such demands.
Now that the initial uproar has settled, it’s time to move past rhetoric and focus on solutions. Instead of debating how many hours we should work, the real question is: How can we work smarter?
The real challenge: Effort without efficiency is a dead end
In knowledge work, precise estimation is almost impossible.
Workflows lack clear boundaries, making it difficult to predict how long tasks will take. The result? Unrealistic deadlines, pressure to “make up time,” and an endless cycle of working extra hours just to keep up.
The problem isn’t just the number of hours worked—it’s how effectively those hours are used. Hard work alone isn’t enough. If the effort is not aligned with the result, even putting in 90 hours a week won’t guarantee success.
A two-point solution for sustainable productivity
1⃣ Organizations must truly adopt agile (not just follow the motions).
In knowledge work, where uncertainty in scope and definition is inevitable, Agile was designed to embrace change rather than resist it. When applied correctly, Agile enables organizations to:
Agile, when done right, isn’t about working more—it’s about working smarter. It prevents wasted effort, reduces stress, and keeps teams focused on meaningful progress.
Most companies claim to be Agile, but are they truly embracing its principles or just following a checklist?
2⃣ At an individual level, a personal productivity system is the key to success.
As professionals advance, they take on more responsibilities, more projects, and more expectations. Initially, it’s exhilarating—every new project, every promotion, every challenge brings a high. But soon, the sheer volume of work becomes overwhelming.
I’ve been there myself. At peak of my career, I took on more and more work, enjoying the challenge—until I started dropping commitments and frustrating my superiors. I wasn’t slacking; I was just making poor decisions about what to prioritize.
Most professionals operate on gut instinct, deciding what’s important in the moment. But this approach fails at higher levels. Unlike junior roles, where supervisors nudge you, senior professionals must self-manage their workload. Without a system, it becomes chaotic.
The solution? A structured personal productivity system.
It’s not about working harder—it’s about working with clarity.
The bigger picture: Both sides need balance
In fast-moving business environments, where management pressures employees to do more and employees push themselves to grow, this structured flexibility is crucial. Without it, both sides burn out chasing impossible expectations.
The bottom line: Work smarter, not just harder
Sustainable success isn’t about how many hours you work—it’s about making every hour count.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author's own.
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