N.R. Narayana Murthy, the 78-year-old co-founder of Infosys, shared that he worked 14 hours a day, six-and-a-half days a week for 30 years until retiring in 2011 at the age of 65. He would arrive at the office at 6:20 a.m. and leave at 8:30 p.m., a routine he was “very proud” of.
Infosys, founded in 1981 with six co-founders and $250 in capital, has grown into a global IT giant with offices in 56 countries, including the U.S., employing over 317,000 people.
The company was the first Indian firm listed on NASDAQ in 1999 and now boasts a market capitalization exceeding $92 billion, generating over $18 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2024.
Murthy sparked debate last year by advocating for a 70-hour workweek for young Indians, a stance he reiterated at CNBC’s Global Leadership Summit this month, stating, “I don’t believe in work-life balance.”
He also voiced dissatisfaction with India’s decision to reduce the workweek from six to five days in 1986, firmly stating, “I have not changed my view.”