Noida-based entrepreneur Nitin Verma, founder of InstaAstro, has sparked online debate after firing a senior employee for asking for work instructions. According to Verma's LinkedIn post, the employee was dismissed after asking 'Sir tell me what to do next' when given full operational freedom. Verma stated that the employee had been given 'no micromanagement, no daily check-ins, and no approvals needed' from the beginning of their tenure. As reported by Verma, the employee was 'someone I brought in specifically because I didn't want to think for that function anymore' and had been given 'full freedom to on day one'. The incident has triggered a broader debate about workplace ownership and leadership styles, with Verma's post drawing both criticism and support from professionals across various industries.
Verma used the incident to express his views on workplace leadership and seniority. As reported by the entrepreneur, he responded to the employee's request by asking 'Why did I hire you then?' when the employee stated 'Sir you know better.' Verma emphasized that 'You cannot give it to someone. Either they walk in with it. Or they never find it' and that he cannot build a company on people who need daily instructions. The CEO argued that 'Freedom without ownership is just confusion' and that he cannot build a company on people who need to be told what to think. He further stated that 'leadership roles require independent thinking and accountability, especially in fast-paced work environments where companies expect employees to contribute proactively.'
The post has generated significant online discussion among professionals, with several LinkedIn users disagreeing with Verma's approach. According to user comments, 'Even experienced hires need clarity around expectations, vision and strategic direction' and 'Giving someone full freedom without defining priorities or outcomes could create confusion instead of accountability'. One user suggested that 'The employee may simply have been trying to align with the founder's broader vision before making an important decision' and that 'New hires, regardless of seniority, still require some guidance regarding company vision and expected outcomes during the first few months'. However, some users supported Verma's stance, with one writing 'A lot of companies confuse experience with ownership during hiring' and arguing that 'True seniority lies in identifying problems early and moving work forward without constantly seeking permission'. The viral story has also highlighted the pressure that comes with workplace autonomy, with one user noting 'Most people say they want autonomy until they realize it means carrying the full weight of the blame when things fail.'
The incident has sparked heated discussion about workplace autonomy and leadership expectations, with users highlighting 'the expectation gap between founders and corporate hires' and the importance of 'understanding the core business objectives' for strategic decision-making. According to one user comment, 'Managers exist to guide people, not intimidate them for asking questions' and that 'There's a difference between lack of initiative and asking for clarity. Punishing employees for communication only creates fear at work.' Many users criticized the CEO's approach, with one writing 'I feel there may not have been clear expectations from the onset' and suggesting that 'Startups often speak about innovation while resisting internal change and questioning'. The debate has opened questions about 'whether companies confuse years of experience with actual ownership and decision-making ability' in the modern workplace. Some users have also questioned whether the employee received sufficient context, with one arguing that 'This sounds more like expecting a co-founder mindset from an employee role' and that 'Employee ownership and co-founder mindset are not always the same thing.'
