Entrepreneur’s Take on Zomato Chief of Staff role over MBA divides LinkedIn!

What is the COS Role offer?

A controversial job opening for a Chief of Staff was recently announced by Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, on social media.

The position offers no salary for the first year; instead, candidates are required to pay ₹20 lakh to the company. This fee will be donated to Feeding India, Zomato’s non-profit initiative. The ideal candidate, as described by Goyal, is someone who is “hungry,” empathetic, and possesses strong communication skills, with minimal prior experience.

Entrepreneur’s Take on Zomato Chief of Staff role

A debate is heating up on LinkedIn as an entrepreneur’s bold take on the Zomato Chief of Staff role zeroes in: Is hands-on experience the ultimate MBA alternative? The divide between academia and real-world hustle just got a new talking point.

Viraj Sheth, Co-Founder & CEO of Monk Entertainment, stirred up LinkedIn with his bold remark on Zomato’s Chief of Staff hiring process, urging the company to select a non-MBA candidate. His statement—’The beginning of the end of MBA needs to start now’—has ignited a heated debate: Is the MBA losing its edge in today’s fast-evolving professional landscape?

Users are questioning MBA as a entry barrier?

A user reverted “Question is, would Zomato hire u for COS without the MBA?
It takes a very sharp CEO and leadership team to look beyond your degree!”

This raises a thought-provoking counterpoint, challenging the practicality of bypassing an MBA for high-stakes roles like Chief of Staff. It questions whether Zomato—or any leading organization—would genuinely prioritize skills and experience over traditional qualifications like an MBA.

Users are questioning MBA as a entry barrier?

one user expressed a strong viewpoint on the evolving role of education in professional success, stating, “Would love to see someone crush it in this role without an MBA finally proving that passion and skills can beat overpriced degrees any day!” This comment highlights a growing trend in the business world that challenges the traditional emphasis on formal qualifications like MBAs. The user advocates for the value of passion and practical skills over expensive academic degrees, suggesting that hands-on experience and personal drive can be more impactful than formal education in securing success. This perspective reflects a broader shift in how organizations are beginning to prioritize real-world abilities and a growth mindset, rather than just academic credentials, when evaluating candidates for leadership roles.

Conclusion

he debate surrounding formal education versus practical experience is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in high-profile roles like the Chief of Staff position at Zomato.

While MBAs have long been viewed as a critical qualification for leadership roles, comments such as “passion and skills can beat overpriced degrees any day” underscore a growing shift towards valuing real-world expertise, drive, and adaptability.

As companies like Zomato challenge traditional hiring norms, the conversation around what truly defines a successful leader is evolving. It remains to be seen whether this shift will gain wider acceptance, but it certainly opens the door for individuals with non-traditional backgrounds to prove that hands-on experience and a relentless passion can indeed outshine a degree.