‘Waiting for promotion is so old-school’: Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal drops 3 hard-hitting truth bombs on career growth

In an era where traditional career ladders are crumbling, Anupam Mittal, Shark Tank India judge and founder and CEO of People Group—which runs the popular matrimonial website Shaadi.com—has laid down a new-age roadmap for success.

Taking to the social media platform, LinkedIn, the Shark Tank India investor challenged the old-school idea that promotions are a function of tenure. Instead, he argues, those who move up in today’s hyper-dynamic business world are the ones who prioritise speed, progress, and ownership.

Experience Is Overrated, Speed Wins

Mittal emphasised in his post that the market is evolving at breakneck speed, and professionals who take months to strategise are already outdated by the time they act. “The market is moving at 10x speed. If you take months to study, strategize & adapt to a trend, toh aap already outdated ho. Rapid iteration based on 1st principles is the new intelligence,” he asserts. The message is clear: agility and the ability to pivot quickly matter more than years spent in a role.

Productivity Over Hustle Culture

It’s not about working longer hours, but about working smarter. Mittal recalled his own experience of logging in 90-hour weeks that delivered little value while seeing single, well-thought-out projects drive disproportionate impact.

“Running in the same place is not progress. People who move up are the ones who measure their progress weekly, every week,” he said. The key takeaway? Results, and not being overtly busy, determine career growth.

Ownership Is the New Currency

Gone are the days when simply showing up to work was enough. Mittal equates career advancement with an entrepreneurial mindset—where professionals take charge, make independent decisions, and assume responsibility for outcomes.

“The new-age workplace is not a school classroom where attendance = passing marks. One has to take initiative, make decisions, be accountable, and drive things forward, much like a founder,” he said. This shift from entitlement to ownership is what separates high achievers from the rest.

Don’t Wait—Take Charge of Your Own Growth

Perhaps the most powerful insight from Mittal’s post is that waiting for a promotion is an ineffective career strategy. He believes that individuals should align their efforts with business objectives, create massive impact, and then confidently ask for what they deserve.

“In my view, waiting for your company to promote you is an awful way to manage your career. Align with business objectives, deliver disproportionate value and then ask for that position or compensation you deserve,” he advised.

Mittal revealed that before he became a founder, he followed this playbook himself—and it paid off. His advice isn’t just theoretical; it’s a proven strategy in today’s competitive, fast-moving professional landscape.

If you’re looking to accelerate your career, it’s time to rethink the outdated formula of longevity and loyalty. As Mittal says: “Used to be that tenure = promotion. If you were ‘loyal’, you moved up. But times have changed.”