Aman Gupta’s recent post is more than just an observation about his young colleagues — it’s a snapshot of a cultural and professional shift unfolding in India’s offices. What he’s really saying: Today’s Gen Z and younger millennials aren’t content with “Yes boss” culture. They question, they challenge, and they contribute from a place of curiosity and conviction rather than fear or formality. And far from seeing this as disrespect, Aman wants corporate India to recognise it as a form of courage and fresh thinking that leaders can — and should — learn from.
Check out his post on LinkedIn:
From ‘Yes Boss’ to ‘Why Boss’
Aman Gupta contrasts his early corporate career with what he sees in his office today. Ten years ago, standing outside a boss’s cabin meant half-jokingly steadying trembling hands. Questioning decisions wasn’t even on the table — directives were followed unquestioningly.
Today? Twenty-year-old interns at boAt Lifestyle walk up to him and ask: “AG, why are we doing this? Are you sure it’s right?” The unspoken chain of command has shifted — hierarchy still exists, but dialogue is no longer one-way. In workplace studies, this change aligns with what Deloitte calls “The Purpose Generation”: employees who won’t just execute instructions but want to understand the why behind them before aligning their effort.
Honesty, Not Disrespect
He warns against misreading this openness. Gen Z doesn’t sprinkle “Hanji sir” or “ji sir” as politeness fillers unless they genuinely mean it. This is not rudeness — it’s directness. Research on generational workstyles shows that younger workers rate honesty and authenticity far above formality; they see empty deference as inefficient and insincere. Aman’s point? Leaders need to adjust their lens — cut through outdated assumptions about respect, because the absence of fear doesn’t mean an absence of regard.
The Advantage They Hold—Exposure
Aman also acknowledges that while 20-somethings may not match veterans in years of experience, they have something his generation lacked: early exposure. He paints a simple contrast—growing up, access was limited to Doordarshan and analog life. Today’s 20-year-olds grew up as global citizens, shaped by unlimited digital access, multicultural content, and global trends filtered in real time.
Even small examples—like quick commerce making snacks a one-tap affair instead of a 15-minute rush—reflect a mindset shaped by speed, convenience, and agility.
Studies back this parallel: India’s Gen Z spends over 8 hours a day online, with higher cross-border cultural familiarity than any previous generation.
What He Sees at boAt Lifestyle
In the marketing team at boAt, a large chunk are under 30 and Gen Z. Aman notices something crucial: they’re not driven purely by money. They work because they care about the brand and its purpose. They live freely, unafraid to experiment; they create fearlessly. This brand of motivation—passion mixed with self-expression—is consistent with PwC’s Gen Z research, which found that meaningful work and creative freedom rate higher than salary on job satisfaction scales for those under 30.
Rebellion or Courage?
He notes that some label this generation “rebellious” or “lazy.” Aman disagrees. To him, this is courage —
- Courage to speak up
- Courage to press pause on something that “doesn’t make sense”
- Courage to push back when things feel wrong
- Courage to actually give a damn in a high-volume, fast-paced corporate machine
This is the essence of an engaged employee — someone invested enough to care about the outcome, not just the paycheck.
The Real Question Leaders Should Ask
Aman closes with a turning point: Maybe the question isn’t how to manage Gen Z, but how to work with them and learn from them.
That’s the leadership flip — moving from control to collaboration, from command-and-control to co-creation. For companies in fast-moving consumer spaces like boAt, this collaborative mindset isn’t just nice to have; it’s strategic. Fresh perspectives can help legacy leaders adapt products, campaigns, and customer engagement strategies to a generation that lives online and moves fast.
