Man warns managers against being a 'cool boss,' shares what he learnt the hard way

A man shared a workplace lesson he learned the hard way, warning managers against being so friendly with their teams that they end up blurring the boundaries between a boss and their employees.

Instagram user Hemant Wadhwani shared a video on his account where he reflected on his experience of managing a team and explained why he no longer believed in being a “cool boss”.

In the video, Hemant began with a blunt warning, saying people should “never ever be a cool boss”. He then explained that the advice came from his own experience while working at a company where he managed several people.

Hemant said it was naturally his habit to avoid making the people working under him feel as though he was superior to them. He preferred treating his team members as equals and giving them considerable freedom rather than constantly reminding them of the hierarchy at work.

However, he said he eventually realised that some degree of distance and clearly defined boundaries was necessary. According to him, the amount of freedom or leverage he gave his team could eventually work against him if people began taking advantage of it.

He recalled giving considerable leverage to his team and other junior employees, only to realise that such an approach could leave a manager vulnerable to being taken for granted or even being “backstabbed”.

His takeaway was not that managers should be harsh or unapproachable, but that they should make the professional boundaries clear. He argued that being friendly with employees was fine, but employees should still understand where the line was.

The video prompted a debate among viewers over whether being a “cool boss” was actually a bad thing. Some felt that employees should appreciate a manager who treated them well rather than misuse that kindness.

Others took a more balanced view, arguing that managers could remain friendly and approachable while making it clear that they could become more authoritative when a situation demanded it. They felt that maintaining a lighter workplace atmosphere could actually make collaboration smoother.

Another viewer suggested that managers should focus on becoming true leaders rather than simply acting like bosses, arguing that good leadership could earn employees’ respect without relying heavily on hierarchy.- EndsPublished By: Published On: Sep 12, 2026 14:19 IST