Bengaluru’s startup culture is known for its fast-paced and dynamic environment, but a recent revelation by a former employee's experience has raised eyebrows.

A user on X, Akshay G Jain, shared that his friend, who worked in growth at a Bengaluru-based startup, quit because the company's strategy kept shifting based on whatever book the founder was reading that week.
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Read his post here:
How did X users react?
The post quickly gained traction, with users sharing similar experiences of chaotic leadership driven by trendy business reads.
{{/usCountry}}The post quickly gained traction, with users sharing similar experiences of chaotic leadership driven by trendy business reads.
{{/usCountry}}"Which book will end this startup?" one user quipped, mocking the unpredictable decision-making.
Another chimed in, "I’d say you’re exaggerating, but I know someone who worked exactly like this, and he’s still running a ‘business.’"
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A few users pointed out that this phenomenon wasn’t limited to books alone. "This happens a lot. Sometimes it's podcasts, tweets, and blogs too—not just books," one person noted, highlighting how some startup founders chase the latest trends rather than a consistent strategy.
One particularly striking comment mentioned a founder who took pride in being "paranoid and narcissistic"—because he read it in a book.
The post has gained significant traction, amassing over 104,000 views, more than 2,000 likes, and over 100 reposts.
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In another instance, recently, CRED founder Kunal Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight this growing trend, emphasising the need for broader adoption. He stated, "Bengaluru startups are increasingly using AI to be hyper-productive. But it seems only 20 per cent are breathing AI. Rest are waiting for a sign. This is your sign."