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The Noida-based further argued that freedom at work without personal initiative often leads to confusion instead of meaningful results.
Founder says he fired senior employee for asking, ‘Sir tell me what to do next’.The Noida-based founder and CEO of InstaAstro has revealed that he once dismissed a senior employee after the person asked him, “Sir tell me what to do next.” Nitin Verma said the incident completely changed how he views leadership, accountability and ownership in the workplace.
‘I hired him so I wouldn’t have to think for that function’
In a LinkedIn post that sparked debate online, Verma said the employee had been recruited specifically to independently manage a particular business function.
“I fired someone because he asked me, ‘Sir tell me what to do next.’ A senior hire. Someone I brought in specifically because I didn't want to think for that function anymore,” he wrote.
Explaining why the question frustrated him, Verma said there was no micromanagement within the organisation. According to him, the employee had complete autonomy, with no constant follow-ups or approval barriers.
However, when the employee approached him asking what should be done next, Verma interpreted it as a lack of initiative and ownership.
‘Why did I hire you then?’
Verma recalled responding by asking the employee what he personally believed should be done.
“He said, ‘Sir you know better.’ I asked, ‘Why did I hire you then?’” Verma wrote, adding that the exchange ended in “silence”.
The entrepreneur said the episode reinforced his belief that ownership is an inherent quality rather than something managers can instil through authority or freedom.
“Here's what I have learned about ownership: You cannot give it to someone. Either they walk in with it. Or they never find it,” he said.
He further argued that freedom at work without personal initiative often leads to confusion instead of meaningful results.
“Freedom without ownership is just confusion,” he added.
CEO’s comments trigger divided reactions online
Verma also stated that he could not “build a company on people who need to be told what to think.”
Addressing senior professionals directly, he wrote: “If you're a senior professional reading this, Your job is to walk in every morning and ask yourself, What needs to be done? That's what seniority actually means.”
The post received mixed reactions on LinkedIn, with several users questioning his leadership approach.
“But sometimes a new hire just wants to align with your vision before making a massive strategic call,” one user commented.
Defending his stance, Verma replied: “I understand the point you are making. But there is a difference between alignment and dependency. A senior professional asking for clarity once is normal. A senior professional needing constant direction is dangerous. I am not hiring hands. I am hiring judgment.”
Another LinkedIn user shared a personal lesson from early in their career, writing: “My first boss told me to never bring him a problem without bringing three solutions first. That advice changed my entire career.”
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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