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In the time it takes you to read this sentence, thousands of gig workers across India will complete a task, deliver a service, or solve a problem – all without setting foot in a traditional office. The gig economy has fundamentally rewired how we think about work, but have our ethical compasses kept pace? As companies increasingly rely on contractors, freelancers, and platform workers, the questions multiply faster than the opportunities. That’s when MaggieSpeak returns – tackling one of the most complex workplace puzzles of our generation. The 6th Fr. McGrath Memorial Debate Series will examine what tomorrow’s business leaders think about the gig economy transformation. The Stage Is Set for India’s Premier Ethics Debate Mark your calendars for November 22, 2025, when the Bangalore International Centre becomes a battleground of ideas. MaggieSpeak returns with India’s brightest B-school minds debating one of the most urgent challenges of our time This year’s theme couldn’t be more timely: “Reimagining Organizations: Ethics and Responsibility in the Age of Gig, Contract, and Outsourced Staffing.” It’s not just another academic exercise; it’s a conversation about the future you’re about to inherit and lead. Why This Debate Matters India’s gig workforce has grown from 7.7 million in 2020-21 to around 12 million today, with projections reaching 23.5 million by 2030. In parallel, the Indian Staffing Federation notes that by 2024–25, 1.6 million people will be employed on contract within a larger pool of 5.4 million on outsourced payrolls. This shift brings flexibility and growth, but it also raises tough questions. When you land that corner office, you’ll be making decisions about whether to hire permanent staff or gig workers. You’ll face questions like: How do you build company culture when half your workforce logs in from different living rooms? Is it ethical to save costs through contract hiring if it means workers can’t afford basic healthcare? How do you innovate when your workforce has no institutional memory because everyone’s on six-month contracts? These are real issues that future business leaders will face, and MaggieSpeak is the platform to tackle them head-on. The Legacy: Where It Started Let’s rewind to why MaggieSpeak exists. Fr. E. H. McGrath – fondly called “Maggie” by generations of XLRI students – once looked at business education and said, “You know what’s missing here? A hefty dose of conscience.” Maggie believed leadership wasn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder or maximizing profits. He championed the bold idea that business leaders should genuinely care about making the world a better place. And he didn’t just talk about it, but he lived it. His practical approach to ethical leadership left a mark on every student who had the privilege to learn from him. Powered by the passionate XLRI alumni network, MaggieSpeak represents a unique collaboration between academia and industry, bringing real-world perspectives to campus debates. What began as a simple platform for discussion has grown into a national stage, where young leaders test ideas, challenge conventions, and explore what it really means to lead for the greater good. MaggieSpeak Season 6: The Arena for Tomorrow’s Leaders In its sixth edition, MaggieSpeak continues to uphold the spirit of intellectual rigor and ethical reflection that defines its legacy. This alumni-driven initiative celebrates Fr. McGrath’s enduring values by fostering ethical leadership and sustainability among future business leaders, ensuring his principles live on through meaningful dialogue and debate. What’s Going Down on November 22? On November 22, MaggieSpeak Season 6 reaches its thrilling climax in Bengaluru with the Grand Finale – an offline round at the Bangalore International Centre. Four teams from the semi-finals will face off in Bengaluru. Two debates will decide who advances to the Grand Finale Beyond the debates, panel discussions featuring industry stalwarts, policymakers, and academics will dissect the real-world implications of gig economy ethics. These panels bridge the gap between academic discourse and industry reality, offering insights you won’t find in any textbook. Expect high-stakes arguments, quick thinking, passionate exchanges, and deep-dive conversations with the people actually shaping India’s workforce policies. This is where theory meets practice, and where your ideas could influence actual decision-makers. What’s in it for Participants? Total Prize Pool: ₹4,00,000 Networking Opportunities: Interaction with senior industry experts, thought leaders, and XLRI alumni Experiential Learning: Real-time exposure to leadership challenges through debate and discourse Competition Format The competition is designed as a three-stage intellectual journey, each stage testing a different facet of leadership and communication: Round 1 – Video submissions by October 19. Teams debate a current ethical issue. Round 2 – Online semi-finals on November 8 with top 16 teams. Round 3 – Grand Finale on November 22 at BIC, Bengaluru — televised by CNBC-TV18. The Bigger Picture: Building Tomorrow’s Responsible Leaders MaggieSpeak is more than a competition. It reflects XLRI’s commitment to shaping leaders who understand that business success and ethical responsibility go hand in hand. In a world where AI decides hiring, algorithms set wages, and apps mediate work, leaders face tough questions: Is efficiency worth human dignity? Can innovation coexist with job security? Should companies take responsibility for workers they have never officially employed? These are complex challenges, and that is exactly why we debate them. As future leaders, you will help shape India’s economy. Come not just to watch a debate, but to witness the making of tomorrow’s ethical business landscape. The real question isn’t whether the gig economy is here to stay – it’s what kind of gig economy we choose to build. As Fr. McGrath would remind us, business isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s about lifting the baseline for everyone. And that conversation starts at MaggieSpeak Season 6. Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of ethical leadership. This is a Partnered Post.
