Bengaluru founder says, employees' biggest competition is not AI, but something far simpler

As the world debates whether artificial intelligence will replace jobs, one Bengaluru-based founder has a different take. Vedika Bhaia, who has hired over 200 people, believes the real challenge in today’s workplace is not competing with machines but with people who fail to show up consistently. In a viral LinkedIn post, she broke down what truly makes someone stand out—and her advice is refreshingly simple.

For Bhaia, the bar isn’t about technical expertise alone. She stresses that basic professionalism itself is rare to find. Replying to emails within 24 hours, delivering work on time, flagging delays quickly, asking questions instead of making assumptions—these small, everyday habits, she says, are what separate reliable hires from forgettable ones.

But she doesn’t stop there. For those aiming to be in the top 1%, Bhaia shares an elevated checklist: send weekly progress updates without being asked, suggest improvements beyond the original brief, own up when mistakes happen, and go slightly beyond what was requested. According to her, these are the traits of people who are not only irreplaceable but also invaluable.



AI is not the biggest competition
Her point is simple but powerful: “Your biggest competition isn’t AI. It’s other humans who can’t show up consistently.” In her experience, she has never once tried to negotiate rates down with someone who demonstrates this kind of reliability, nor has she ever considered replacing them. Reliability, Bhaia concludes, is not just another professional trait—it’s a superpower in 2025.


Internet reacts
Several users resonated strongly with Vedika Bhaia’s post, with many sharing their own experiences. One person said that while hiring for a few marketing roles recently, they noticed the same gap in candidates. Another added that professionalism, which should be a basic trait, is unfortunately lacking in a large number of applicants these days. Someone else highlighted that reliability works like compound interest for teams, where every on-time delivery and proactive update reduces management drag—making consistent, dependable professionals the most valuable hires.