A job interview is often remembered for the questions asked, the role discussed or the offer that eventually follows. For Bengaluru entrepreneur Shikhar Saxena, however, one interview stood out for an entirely different reason. A founder arrived 40 minutes late for a scheduled meeting and, according to Saxena, never acknowledged the delay with an apology. That single interaction convinced him to walk away from what could have been a promising opportunity.Since then, the event has led to more discussions online about the issue, with professionals pondering the role that even minor signs of politeness may play in determining an organization’s culture and its leaders’ values.
A 40-minute wait that changed everything
Shikhar Saxena, founder of hiring startup Binary, shared the experience in a post on X while reflecting on the qualities that define good leadership.According to Saxena, he had once interviewed with a popular founder who kept him waiting for nearly 40 minutes before the meeting began. What stayed with him, however, was not the delay itself but what followed—or rather, what did not.“I once interviewed with a very popular founder who made me wait 40 minutes, and didn’t even say sorry,” he wrote.For Saxena, the silence spoke louder than any apology could have. Rather than dismissing the incident as a scheduling mishap, he interpreted it as an insight into the founder’s character.
Small gestures often reveal bigger truths
In his post, Saxena argued that leadership is often reflected in the smallest interactions. A delayed meeting can happen to anyone, particularly founders juggling multiple responsibilities. But acknowledging another person’s time, he suggested, is what distinguishes respectful leadership from indifference.He believed that failing to apologise or even acknowledge the inconvenience reflected a deeper lack of empathy, a quality he considers fundamental in any workplace.That impression ultimately influenced a career decision. “I decided to not work with them, and later heard horrible stories from people who joined him,” he wrote, adding that not apologising or following up “shows severe lack of empathy” and is often a warning sign worth paying attention to.
An interview is also an evaluation of the employer
Job interviews are commonly viewed as opportunities for employers to assess candidates. Increasingly, however, professionals see them as a two-way evaluation.For many applicants, every interaction, from scheduling emails to interview conduct, offers clues about how employees are likely to be treated after joining the organisation.Saxena’s experience has resonated because it reinforces a growing belief that workplace culture is not something discovered months into a job. It often becomes visible during the hiring process itself.Whether it is punctuality, communication or courtesy, candidates increasingly view these moments as indicators of how an organisation functions behind closed doors.
Social media sees a leadership red flag
Saxena’s post received widespread attention on X with many people believing that lack of an apology alone is enough of a reason to have their suspicions aroused.Many commenters noted that the attitude of the founder was like a “red flag,” because showing due respect towards another person’s time should not be an issue at all and should be considered an unwritten rule regardless of the person’s hierarchy.Commenter named Astha noted: “Not apologizing is a huge red flag.” Another commenter related his own story about meeting a founder, whose attitude was uninterested and disoriented towards the arranged meeting between two parties through a common acquaintance. He noted that he set the standard by which all other meetings were measured.
