- Hriday Kadam shared on X that he noticed a difference in communication styles after cold DM'ing founders from both India and San Francisco.
- Kadam stated that many founders in San Francisco spoke to him openly and treated him more like a peer, even though he was still a student.
- He observed that some Indian founders seemed to carry a bit more of a 'founder aura', positioning themselves above the conversation.
- Users on X responded by attributing the communication differences to hierarchical versus non-hierarchical cultures.
- Some users linked the discussion to India's position in the AI race, suggesting that a hierarchical mindset may hinder collaboration.
- Kadam's observations highlight a broader cultural difference in communication styles between the East and West.
- Some users noted that not all founders fit the stereotype, acknowledging the presence of great founders in both regions.
Hriday Kadam, a student, shared insights on X regarding the contrasting communication styles of startup founders in San Francisco and India. He observed that many SF founders engage with him as a peer, fostering genuine conversations, while some Indian founders seem to carry a 'founder aura' that creates a hierarchical distance.125
Kadam noted, “A lot of founders in SF talk to me like a peer. They ask questions, hear out my ideas, and have genuine conversations, even though I am just a student.” In contrast, he remarked, “While I have met some amazing founders from India too, I have also noticed some seem to carry a bit more of a ‘founder’ aura, as if they’re positioning themselves above the conversation.” This observation sparked a broader discussion about cultural influences on communication styles.
One user commented, “Interesting observation. However, it is more of a cultural thing. The East is a bit hierarchical in nature, and hence someone who is a founder might develop an aura based on how those around them treat them.” This reflects a common perception that the hierarchical nature of many Asian societies influences interactions.
Another user linked this dynamic to the AI industry, stating, “That’s why India is not even in the AI Race. Thinking you know everything usually keeps other smart people away.” This highlights the potential impact of communication styles on collaboration and innovation in tech sectors.
Kadam's observations resonate with others, as another user noted, “Bro, it’s pretty much the same with Japanese founders imo.” The conversation underscores the importance of understanding cultural nuances in professional interactions across different regions.8
“Kadam's cold DMs to founders in both regions revealed that SF founders ask questions and have genuine conversations, while some Indian founders seem to position themselves above the conversation. Commenters attribute this to hierarchical Eastern cultures versus the West's flatter communication style, with one linking it to India's absence from the AI race.”
News18
