'Don't Build Careers... Rent People..' Tata Play CEO's Advice Sparks Online Debate

When Harit Nagpal, the MD and CEO of Tata Play Ltd., used the word "rent" to describe recruiting individuals, it sparked a social media dispute. Mr. Nagpal discussed embracing the distinct values and dispositions of newly hired individuals and allowing them the opportunity to flourish in his LinkedIn post. "They'll help elevate your company as they gain knowledge and confidence," he said.

He asked businesses to "rent people" in the opening sentence of his article, which confused a lot of users.

"Don't build careers. Rent people. This isn't their first job. They won't retire here. Allow them to bring their beliefs and attitudes with them. Let them be and do what they couldn't where they were before. As their knowledge and confidence grow, they will learn to fly and make you soar too. And when they leave, they'll encourage others like them to join you," Mr. Nagpal wrote.

Nagpal's Post: Mixed Reactions

It was shared a few days ago by Nagpal. It has since accumulated a number of reactions. Some people were unable to go past the first sentence in the comments box, even though they agreed with the CEO.

"Don't Build Careers; Rent People" suggests that the old ways of building careers are no longer effective in today's work environment, where many employees view their positions as temporary. Organizations need to adapt & offer different perspectives, which can enhance creativity and collaboration. When individuals are allowed to share their beliefs, it creates a more genuine workplace, boosting engagement and productivity. As employees grow in confidence, they drive innovation. Even when they move on, they can serve as ambassadors for the company, helping to attract new talent. This strategy is framed as a route to sustainable growth in an evolving job market.”, the user commented. 

“With both jobs and "resources" becoming disposable, I guess the pretentious "familial" or "building careers" motto needs the next step of evolution. There was a time when bonds were popular. I remember our batch was apprehensive towards sitting for a company with a time period-bound contract. And now we can hardly think of such a contract. (Notice period is a different discussion.) But yeah, the notion that you are renting an employee should let these corporate manifestos free to evolve.”,  commented another. 

Nagpal's Response Over Post:

He also reshared the post after receiving several views on it and sparking the debate in the professional realm about people and the workplace.