A young startup CEO has recently been trolled on Reddit for posting a controversial recruitment remark on LinkedIn. The post quickly gained attention and was widely ridiculed on the infamous subreddit LinkedIn Lunatics, known for calling out inflated corporate jargon and dubious work culture claims.
In his post, Sam Baisla the founder and CEO of Sales Brigade stated that he was looking for tech co-founders to join his startup venture. What made his post go viral was the ambitious plan he outlined to quickly develop and launch multiple products on a tight timeline, aiming to attract investors.
His vision included building each product within a week, showcasing the hustle work culture in India, where there is no room for delays or downtime.
Wanted ‘Full-Time’ Employees- Literally
What made the post more questionable was his description of ‘ideal’ candidates he wants for his startup that are both “young” and “available full-time”, and he meant it literally, Not only this, in his post, it was also mentioned that the commitment required was 24/7, 365 days a year, and there was no mention of breaks, days off, or even sleep. This type of potentially exploitative demands and unrealistic expectations led to serious criticism.
Not only this, the post also mentioned that there will be no fixed salary till the time the startup raises external funding, however, the employees will be compensated with equity and potential future rewards.
In the closing, he stated that if someone is ‘crazy enough’ to be a part of this hustle and has the guts to chase such a dream, he can be a millionaires in less than 12 months.
Hustle Culture Glorification
This is not the first time that a figure in a position of power has stirred controversy by glorifying hustle culture. The idea of working endlessly, sacrificing rest and personal life in the name of success, has become a recurring theme among certain circles in the startup and corporate world.
A recent example is the widely debated comment by Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, who advocated for a 70-hour work week to boost India’s productivity. His statement sparked a nationwide debate, with some defending the notion as a call for national development, while many others saw it as tone-deaf and disconnected from the realities of modern work-life balance.
Critics pointed out that promoting such extreme work expectations not only risks employee burnout but also sets an unhealthy precedent for young professionals who may feel pressured to equate long hours with success.
This ongoing glorification of non-stop hustle reflects a deeper issue within corporate and startup culture, where overwork is often celebrated as a badge of honor, rather than a warning sign.
