'Don’t build careers. Rent people': Tata Play CEO's advice goes viral, internet reacts

Since its publication a few days ago, Harit Nagpal’s post has garnered significant attention, accumulating numerous reactions and comments.

Harit Nagpal, the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Play Ltd, has sparked a debate on social media after a LinkedIn post in which he referred to hiring people as "renting" them. The phrasing, which appeared in the opening line of his post, left LinkedIn users divided, with some praising the fresh perspective while others expressed confusion or disagreement.

In his post, Nagpal emphasised the importance of accepting employees with their unique beliefs and attitudes and providing them the freedom to thrive in the workplace. He suggested that, as employees grow in knowledge and confidence, they contribute to elevating the organisation. However, the use of the term "rent people" as a metaphor for hiring drew mixed reactions.

"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 grows, they will learn to fly and make you soar too. And when they leave, they'll encourage others like them to join you," Nagpal wrote in the viral post.

Since its publication a few days ago, Nagpal’s post has garnered significant attention, accumulating numerous reactions and comments. While many supported the sentiment behind his statement, others questioned the choice of words.

One LinkedIn user commented, "Powerful insight, Harit! 'Renting people' rather than building careers shifts focus to mutual growth. Allowing individuals to bring their true selves, grow, and thrive benefits both them and the organisation. It fosters innovation, trust, and lasting impact."

Another user offered a more analytical take, writing, "Interesting perspective, Harit Nagpal. I'd add that 'renting talent' also challenges organisations to rethink how they invest in their people. Instead of focusing on long-term loyalty, it's about creating an ecosystem where achieving immediate business goals and continuous learning coexist. It pushes leaders to build systems that outlast individuals—processes, cultures, and knowledge-sharing practices that don’t walk out the door when someone leaves."

Not all feedback was positive, however. Some users felt that the phrase “rent people” reduced the value of employees to a transactional level, rather than recognising their long-term contributions.

"As always, admire your provocative thinking. True, people don’t stay forever—but let’s not confuse a 'rental mindset' with treating people like “property”. A good landlord maintains and improves, creating a space to thrive. When people move on, they won’t just leave—they’ll sublet your reputation to even better tenants. Now that’s a deal worth making," a user wrote.

Another user commented, "I don't agree, if we don't build careers, we will never have leaders."

"Don't build your organisation with 'rented' talent; invest in nurturing long-term careers," a third user remarked.