Is an MBA Truly the Ticket to Talent?

I’ve often wondered — is an MBA a must-have for talent, or have we made it a showstopper by habit?

In India, we’ve developed a certain reverence for qualifications, especially the three letters — MBA. From job descriptions to internal promotions, an MBA is frequently listed as a "minimum qualification." And now, the filter has become finer: “MBA from a Tier 1 institute only.”

While formal education is undoubtedly valuable, I find myself asking: Are we confusing degrees with capabilities? Are we possibly overlooking real potential by focusing too narrowly on pedigree?

💭 The Curious Case of the MBA Obsession

The MBA fixation isn't new — and it's not uniquely Indian. But in India, it often becomes a non-negotiable checkbox, even in roles where experience, attitude, or on-the-ground knowledge may matter more.

Let’s be honest: having an MBA does not guarantee creativity, empathy, resilience, or even leadership. Just as not having an MBA doesn’t mean someone lacks those qualities.

📚 Let’s Look Around – Some “Non-MBAs” Who Made It Big

Here are a few leaders who’ve reached remarkable heights — without flaunting an MBA:

• Narayana Murthy – Founder, Infosys: Studied electrical engineering and MTech from IIT Kanpur.
• Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Founder, Biocon: A zoology graduate and master brewer.
• Steve Jobs – Apple: College dropout.
• Ritesh Agarwal – Founder, OYO: Dropped out of college at 19.
• Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal – Flipkart Founders: IIT Delhi graduates, but not MBAs.
• Kailash Katkar – Founder, Quick Heal Technologies: Studied up to 10th standard, later completed a computer course.

These examples aren’t to undermine education, but to remind us that learning is not always linear — and neither is talent.

🔍 What Really Matters?

Perhaps instead of asking “Do you have an MBA?”, we should be asking:

• Do you have the hunger to learn?
• Do you solve problems creatively?
• Can you lead with humility and build with passion?

In roles where on-ground wisdom, team leadership, hustle, and cultural alignment matter — let’s not make a degree the wall that blocks good talent.

🤝 A Call to Rethink, Not Reject

This is not an anti-MBA post. Many of the finest minds I’ve worked with are MBAs — from both top and lesser-known institutes. But let’s not make the MBA the only key to the door. Let’s widen our view of talent, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find some extraordinary potential in the most unexpected profiles.

The next big innovator, people leader, or business builder might not come with the "right" tag — but with the right mindset.