Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal's to founders: 'Don't have an ego is bad advice'
Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal has now started a debate on social media with a post arguing that the popular advice to “not have an ego” is misguided, especially for those trying to build companies or advance in their careers. In a lengthy LinkedIn post, Mittal wrote that while humility sounds appealing, it often leads to confusion and internal conflict. “The world is designed to say ‘no.’ The market is indifferent, the competition is ruthless, and the odds are stacked,” he said, adding that founders and professionals need conviction and a “healthy dose of ego” to break through. Mittal also described humility as ‘cosplay’ in the context of entrepreneurship, emphasising that confidence, grit and even cockiness are important traits to survive setbacks and prove doubters wrong.
Anupam Mittal on lessons learned from failure
Mittal also reflected on his own journey, noting that he failed ten times before achieving success. “If I had been humble, I would’ve listened to the ‘logic’ that said I wasn’t cut out for this. Instead, I was cocky enough to believe I was right and the world was just slow to catch up,” he wrote. He further noted that ego or ‘Akad’ is what keeps the entrepreneurs going when their backs are against the wall, motivating them to challenge the status quo and built with conviction.
Along with this, Mittal also encouraged the founders and professionals to pitch with swagger, own their space and not worry excessively about modesty. “Ultimately, life will make you eat humble pie, one way or another,” he added with a touch of humour.
Read Anupam Mittal’s complete LinkedIn post here
'Don't have an ego' is bad advice.
Mostly its impossible and leads to confusion & internal conflict.
Yet, most people will tell you to be humble. It sounds nice on a greeting card, but it’s terrible advice for anyone trying to actually build something.
The world is designed to say 'no.' The market is indifferent, the competition is ruthless, and the odds are stacked.
Whether you’re a founder starting a company or a professional trying to climb a stagnant corporate ladder, 'humility' is often just cosplay.
To break through, you need to 'own' a healthy dose of ego. Call it being cocky, call it grit, or call it delulu 🤷🏻♂️
I failed ten times before things clicked. If I had been humble, I would’ve listened to the 'logic' that said I wasn't cut out for this. Instead, I was cocky enough to believe I was right and the world was just slow to catch up.
That 'akad' is what keeps you going when your back is against the wall. You need to want to prove people wrong. You need to believe your perspective is more valuable than the status quo.
Build with conviction. Pitch with a bit of swagger. Own your space 💪🏼
And ya, don't worry about modesty and humility. Ultimately, life will make you eat humble pie, one way or another 😅
Anupam Mittal on lessons learned from failure
Mittal also reflected on his own journey, noting that he failed ten times before achieving success. “If I had been humble, I would’ve listened to the ‘logic’ that said I wasn’t cut out for this. Instead, I was cocky enough to believe I was right and the world was just slow to catch up,” he wrote. He further noted that ego or ‘Akad’ is what keeps the entrepreneurs going when their backs are against the wall, motivating them to challenge the status quo and built with conviction.
Along with this, Mittal also encouraged the founders and professionals to pitch with swagger, own their space and not worry excessively about modesty. “Ultimately, life will make you eat humble pie, one way or another,” he added with a touch of humour.
Read Anupam Mittal’s complete LinkedIn post here
'Don't have an ego' is bad advice.
Mostly its impossible and leads to confusion & internal conflict.
Yet, most people will tell you to be humble. It sounds nice on a greeting card, but it’s terrible advice for anyone trying to actually build something.
The world is designed to say 'no.' The market is indifferent, the competition is ruthless, and the odds are stacked.
Whether you’re a founder starting a company or a professional trying to climb a stagnant corporate ladder, 'humility' is often just cosplay.
To break through, you need to 'own' a healthy dose of ego. Call it being cocky, call it grit, or call it delulu 🤷🏻♂️
I failed ten times before things clicked. If I had been humble, I would’ve listened to the 'logic' that said I wasn't cut out for this. Instead, I was cocky enough to believe I was right and the world was just slow to catch up.
That 'akad' is what keeps you going when your back is against the wall. You need to want to prove people wrong. You need to believe your perspective is more valuable than the status quo.
Build with conviction. Pitch with a bit of swagger. Own your space 💪🏼
And ya, don't worry about modesty and humility. Ultimately, life will make you eat humble pie, one way or another 😅
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