'We Don’t Believe In Work-Life Balance': Chinese Entrepreneur's Blunt Advice To Indian CEO Goes Viral

A recent cross-border business conversation has sparked fresh discussion around the idea of work-life balance, after an Indian startup founder shared an unexpectedly blunt perspective from his soon-to-be Chinese partner.Energy AI Labs founder and CEO Shubham Mishra took to social media to recount his exchange with a Chinese entrepreneur who is set to become the company’s official distribution partner in China. As their call was ending, Mishra decided to ask what he thought was a reflective question about cultural differences in entrepreneurship.“Had a word with a Chinese entrepreneur today, he’s soon becoming our official channel partner there. Yes, a distribution partner for an Indian product in China. Just before wrapping up the call, I asked

him a simple question: ‘What’s the biggest difference between Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs?’,” wrote Energy AI Labs founder and CEO Shubham Mishra.Mishra admitted he was anticipating a layered or philosophical answer. Instead, he said, he received something far more direct.“He paused for a few seconds and said in his broken English: ‘We don’t believe in work-life balance and its online debates. There's only two things: work time or personal time’.”The stark clarity of the response struck Mishra, who contrasted it with what he sees as India’s ongoing fascination with the idea of balance.“While we’re often busy romanticizing ‘balance,’ they’re busy executing with clarity,” Mishra continued.

Social Media Reactions His post quickly drew reactions online. One user reflected, “Sometimes balance isn’t dividing time; it’s deciding what deserves your full attention in each moment.” Another added, “That is a refreshing take on work and life.”Alongside the cultural observation, Mishra also shared a business update, suggesting growing international confidence in Indian technology.“And on a brighter note, one small news: Some Chinese EV businesses will soon start using an Indian battery tester. Global trust is shifting, one battery test at a time.”Not everyone was convinced without reservations. Reacting to the announcement, an X user asked, “Awesome! Anything stopping them from reverse engineering it?” Mishra responded by outlining the safeguards in place: “Firmware, server-side encryption, proprietary real-time datasets, trained algorithms and ghost ckts.”Work-Life Balance Debate In India The exchange arrives amid an ongoing and often polarising debate in India over work-life balance. On one side are proponents of hustle culture, including several veteran founders, who argue that long hours and relentless focus are essential for a developing nation aiming to compete on the global stage. On the other are business leaders and professionals advocating for sustainable work practices, warning that chronic burnout ultimately stifles creativity and long-term innovation.