The concept of "996" work culture, characterized by long hours and hard work, is often a sign of weakness rather than strength, indicating a lack of innovative ideas or leverage. Successful individuals and companies find ways to create value without excessive effort, emphasizing the importance of insight, strategy, and product-market fit over mere toil. Ultimately, reliance on sheer effort can lead to burnout and inefficiency, as true progress comes from working smarter, not harder.