Why Indians Love CEOs But Ignore Entrepreneurs

India is a land of extremes – from its diverse culture to the enormous wealth gap. But one thing that seems to unite Indian society is their almost unshakeable admiration for big-name CEOs, especially those who work for international giants like Google or Microsoft. At the same time, self-made entrepreneurs often struggle for recognition, despite the risk, innovation, and perseverance it takes to build something from scratch. But why is that? Why do Indians look up to CEOs rather than entrepreneurs? Let’s break this down.

Society’s Obsession with Heroes and Gods

From childhood, Indian society teaches us to look up to heroes. Whether it’s gods in religious texts or the protagonists in Bollywood movies, Indians are conditioned to follow and worship. This hero-worship mentality extends to how we see successful people in business too. CEOs of big companies are celebrated as modern-day “heroes” because they have made it.

Take for example Sundar Pichai or Satya Nadella. Their rise to the top of global companies becomes headline news in India. They are seen as gods who have achieved something extraordinary. And while they absolutely deserve the recognition for their achievements, they’re still, at the end of the day, employees of someone else’s company. They didn’t create Google or Microsoft – they’re just steering the ship. But in India, society values the status of the position more than the entrepreneurial grind that comes with creating something of your own.

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Indian Middle-Class Wants Riches, But Fast!

One reason why entrepreneurship doesn’t get the same love in India is the middle-class mindset. Indians, especially from the middle class, have a very short-term approach to success. They want to get rich, but they want it fast. Most families prefer a child to secure a high-paying job at a well-established firm rather than venture into entrepreneurship, where the road to success is much longer and uncertain.

This mindset gets reflected even in Bollywood movies like 3 Idiots, where parents push their children into conventional careers rather than pursuing their true passions. Entrepreneurship demands patience, and most Indian families are not willing (infact too afraid to fail) to take that kind of gamble. They prefer the stability of a high-paying corporate job, which can give them immediate societal respect.

Lack of Ambition?

Another major issue is the lack of ambition in Indian society. It’s not that people don’t have dreams, it’s more about how Indian society perceives those dreams. Many youngsters do dream of starting their own businesses, but they often get discouraged by their families, society, and the fear of failure. There is a strong stigma around failure in India, and this leads people to prefer safer, more stable career choices like becoming a CEO rather than being a founder.

This theme is reflected in movies like Guru (which I believe is based on Dhirubhai Ambani), where Guru’s entrepreneurial journey is shown as full of struggle, betrayal, and societal opposition. Indian society tends to glamorize successful people, but they often ignore the hard work, persistence, and, yes, the many failures that go into building something from scratch. And this discourages potential entrepreneurs.

Glamorizing Jobs Abroad

Another interesting trend in Indian society is the obsession with youngsters who land jobs abroad. Working for a prestigious foreign company is seen as the ultimate status symbol. Indian parents brag about their kids who move to abroad, whether they work in Silicon Valley or London to work for big names companies or just barely survive earning minimum wage. It gives them a sense of pride that their child is “successful,” and this success is measured by they are just abroad, not by what they have created or achieved on their own.

There’s a saying that goes, “In India, if you work for someone else, you’re a success; if you work for yourself, you’re unemployed.” This is the harsh reality. Many Indian parents, especially those from the older generation, see entrepreneurship as too risky and impractical. They would rather have their child become a “safe” employee rather than risk everything on an uncertain venture.

What Will the Neighbors Say?

Indian society is not just risk-averse – it’s obsessed with how others perceive them. Parents are more worried about how their child’s career will look to their relatives, friends, and neighbors rather than focusing on what the child actually wants or is capable of achieving.

Entrepreneurs in India often face societal stigma because, at the start of their journey, they struggle financially. They are often seen as “unemployed” or “not doing anything with their life.” On the other hand, a CEO working for a multinational company is immediately praised for their success. The difference? One has short-term societal approval, while the other is fighting for long-term success.

This societal pressure can discourage young entrepreneurs from taking risks and pursuing their dreams. They are constantly judged by how much money they’re making, which discourages many from starting their own ventures.

Indian CEOs: Are They Really That Great?

One of the most interesting phenomena is how Indian society lauds CEOs who work for multinational corporations. Sure, they’re smart, talented, and hardworking. But what many forget is that these CEOs are still employees. They didn’t build the companies they run; they’re simply steering the wheel, as directed by the board of directors or the company’s original founders.

In contrast, self-made entrepreneurs take on the full burden of creating something from scratch. They’re not just following orders; they’re building something new. Yet, Indian society places more value on the former because of the immediate respect that comes with being at the top of a well-known global brand.

Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, often get overlooked because they don’t have the same name recognition – especially in the early stages when they’re still struggling to get their business off the ground.

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Changing The Narrative

So why do Indians glamorize CEOs rather than self-made entrepreneurs? It’s a mix of society’s risk aversion, hero-worship mentality, and obsession with quick success. There’s also a lot of focus on status and how others perceive success rather than what truly makes an individual accomplished.

But as more young Indians start to break away from this mindset, we may see a shift in the future. Hopefully, Indian society will begin to recognize the value of entrepreneurs – those who create jobs, take risks, and bring innovation to the market – rather than solely glamorizing those who climb the corporate ladder of companies they didn’t build.

Entrepreneurship is the key to India’s long-term economic success. And for that to happen, the mindset has to change. It’s time for Indian society to embrace those who dare to build something new rather than only celebrating those who make it to the top of someone else’s company.

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