'Haanji Sir' vs 'Why boss': boAT co-founder Aman Gupta on why he loves to work with Gen Z

Gen Z often gets labelled as rebellious or lazy, but boAT co-founder Aman Gupta sees them in a completely different light. In a recent LinkedIn post that’s been making waves online, Gupta opened up about how much he loves working with this generation. From interns who aren’t afraid to question their bosses to young professionals who care about more than just money, he believes they’re rewriting workplace rules—and forcing leaders to rethink how they engage with them.

Back in his corporate days, Gupta recalled that even standing outside a boss’s cabin was nerve-wracking, let alone asking questions. The rule was simple: if the boss said it, you did it—no arguments, no doubts. But times have changed. Today, 20-year-old interns in his office walk up to him and ask, “Why are we doing this? Are you sure it’s right?” For them, respect doesn’t mean blind obedience and 'Haanji Sir"—it means honesty, even if that honesty feels uncomfortable.



What older generations might see as defiance, Gupta sees as courage. He admires the way Gen Z questions things that don’t make sense, pushes back when something feels off, and actually cares enough to speak up. In his words, they have “0 filter, 0 fear, 0 guilt”—and that’s exactly what sets them apart.

He also pointed out that while Gen Z may not have decades of experience, they make up for it with exposure. Growing up in a digital-first, fast-moving world has given them a perspective older generations didn’t have. “They are global citizens,” Gupta wrote, contrasting his Doordarshan childhood with the always-connected lives of today’s youth. Even something as simple as grabbing snacks has changed—what once meant a 15-minute run to the store now takes just a tap on quick commerce apps. That access to the world, according to him, has completely reshaped how they think.



At boAt Lifestyle, especially in the marketing team, many of the employees are under 30. Gupta said that what strikes him most about them is that they don’t just work for a paycheck. They work because they care, because they want to create, and because they’re unafraid to live life on their own terms. “Some call it rebellion. Some say they are lazy. But I see courage,” Gupta wrote, highlighting how their approach forces companies to not just manage them but also learn from them.

Internet reacts

Some users felt that Gen Z deserves credit for putting uncomfortable truths on the table without hesitation, even if it means challenging the status quo or proving the boss wrong. Others pointed out that the “yes boss” culture of earlier generations has now flipped, and the real responsibility lies in creating an environment where every voice can be heard. Another perspective highlighted that while Gen Z’s boldness and honesty are admirable, they sometimes overlook the underlying reasons behind certain decisions—something that only comes with years of experience.