New Delhi, May 19 -- Eight years ago, I spent days listening to exhausted employees of a high-profile startup. They shared troubling stories about brutal hours, abusive managers, and constant humiliation that was passed off as motivation. One engineer opened his inbox to show me countless farewell emails-a silent, heartbreaking testimony to the toll the company's toxic culture was taking.

Employees were told to either push beyond their limits or find another job. Those brave enough to voice concerns were brushed aside, adding layers of fear and isolation.

Yet all these red flags vanished behind headlines celebrating the glamorized chase of billion-dollar or 'unicorn' valuations and charismatic founders.

Popular shows like Shark Tank th...