'Not 90-hour weeks': Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal shares 3 fundas for getting promoted fast in current tough job market

Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal recently shared his perspective on career advancement, challenging the traditional notion that promotions are tied to tenure. “Someone asked me—‘What’s the best way to get promoted at work?’” Mittal recalled. “It got me thinking—when and why should someone really get promoted?” The founder & CEO of People Group, has played a key role in shaping successful brands like Shaadi.com, Makaan.com, and Mauj Mobile. He has also backed over 200 tech and consumer brands.

He explained that the old model—where simply staying in a job for years led to promotions—is now obsolete. Instead, success in today’s fast-paced world depends on three key factors:

Speed & Agility

“The market moves at 10x speed. If you take months to analyze, strategize, and adapt to a trend, you’re already outdated,” Mittal emphasized. “Rapid iteration based on first principles is the new intelligence.” In an era where industries evolve rapidly, those who can think on their feet and implement changes swiftly are more likely to rise through the ranks than those who rely solely on years of experience.

Progress Over Movement

Mittal cautioned against mistaking long hours for productivity. “I’ve worked 90-hour weeks that delivered nothing. And I’ve seen one well-thought-out project create more value than months of aimless work,” he noted.
True career growth comes from consistent, measurable progress, not just staying busy. “The ones who get ahead are those who track their progress weekly, ensuring that every effort moves the