A Bengaluru-based startup founder has sparked a conversation on leadership pressures after sharing his honest thoughts about conducting appraisal meetings with his team.
Posting on the social media platform X, the founder, who uses the handle @striver_79, opened up about the anxiety he felt before stepping into the role of evaluating employees.
Reflecting on his journey, he noted how roles evolve over time. A year ago, he had attended appraisal discussions as an employee. Now, he found himself sitting on the other side of the table.
“A year back, I attended an appraisal meeting. Today, I will be on the other side of the table. Honestly, I am more nervous and tensed about this than I thought I would be,” he wrote.
Leadership comes with unexpected pressure
In his post, the founder admitted he was worried about how employees might react to the outcomes of their evaluations.
He wondered whether team members would be satisfied with the decisions and whether he would be able to guide them with constructive feedback that helps them grow professionally.
“How will everyone take it? Will everyone be happy? Will I be able to help them improve individually with the right feedback? Will they stay here after this?” he wrote, adding that running a company involves many factors that are not always visible from the outside.
Social media users respond
The post quickly gained traction online, reportedly receiving more than 32,000 views and prompting a wide range of responses from users.
Some users raised questions about the structure of appraisal discussions. One commenter asked whether a 15-minute meeting would provide enough time for employees to discuss their performance in detail.
Responding to the concern, the founder clarified that employees had already participated in earlier performance discussions.
“This meeting is only about updating the new salaries. We have an open calendar, so people can schedule another discussion anytime,” he explained.
Transparency appreciated by many
Other users appreciated the founder’s openness and concern for his team.
Several comments praised his willingness to consider employees’ individual growth and wellbeing, noting that strong leadership and transparent communication can help build a more supportive workplace culture.
For many readers, the post highlighted a rarely discussed side of entrepreneurship — the emotional responsibility that comes with leading and supporting a team.