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By:

Divyaa Advaani 

2 November 2024 at 3:28:38 am

When agreement kills growth

In the early stages of building a business, growth is often driven by clarity, speed, and conviction. Founders make decisions quickly, rely on their instincts, and push forward with a strong sense of belief in their methods. This decisiveness is not only necessary, it is often the very reason the business begins to grow. However, as businesses cross certain thresholds, particularly beyond the Rs 5 crore mark, the nature of growth begins to change. What once created momentum can quietly begin...

When agreement kills growth

In the early stages of building a business, growth is often driven by clarity, speed, and conviction. Founders make decisions quickly, rely on their instincts, and push forward with a strong sense of belief in their methods. This decisiveness is not only necessary, it is often the very reason the business begins to grow. However, as businesses cross certain thresholds, particularly beyond the Rs 5 crore mark, the nature of growth begins to change. What once created momentum can quietly begin to create limitations. In many professional environments, it is not uncommon to encounter business owners who are deeply convinced of their approach. Their methods have delivered results, their experience reinforces their judgment, and their confidence becomes a defining trait. Yet, in this very confidence lies a subtle risk that is often overlooked. When conviction turns into certainty without space for dialogue, conversations begin to narrow. Suggestions are heard, but not always considered. Perspectives are offered, but not always encouraged. Decisions are made, but not always explained. From the outside, this may still appear as strong leadership. Internally, however, a different dynamic begins to take shape. People start to agree more than they contribute. This is where many businesses unknowingly enter a critical phase. When teams, partners, or stakeholders begin to hold back their perspective, the quality of thinking around the business reduces. What appears as alignment is often silent disengagement. What looks like efficiency is sometimes the absence of challenge. Over time, this directly affects the decisions being made. At a Rs 5 crore level, this may not be immediately visible. Operations continue, revenue flows, and the business appears stable. But as the organisation attempts to grow further, this lack of diverse thinking begins to surface as a constraint. Growth slows, not because of lack of effort, but because of limited perspective. On the other side of this equation are individuals who consistently find themselves accommodating such dynamics. They recognise when their voice is not being fully heard, yet choose not to assert it. The intention is often to preserve relationships, avoid friction, or maintain a sense of professional ease. Initially, this approach appears collaborative. Over time, however, it begins to shape perception. When individuals do not express their perspective, they are gradually seen as agreeable rather than essential. Their presence is valued, but their input is not actively sought. In many cases, they become part of the process, but not part of the decision. This is where personal branding begins to influence business outcomes in ways that are not immediately obvious. A personal brand is not built only through visibility or achievement. It is built through how consistently one demonstrates clarity, confidence, and openness in moments that require it. It is shaped by whether people feel encouraged to think around you, or restricted in your presence. At higher levels of business, this distinction becomes critical. If people agree with you more than they challenge you, it may not be a sign of strong leadership. It may be an indication that your environment is no longer enabling better thinking. Similarly, if you find yourself constantly adjusting to others without expressing your own perspective, your contribution may be diminishing in ways that affect both your influence and your growth. Both situations carry a cost. They affect decision quality, limit innovation, and over time, restrict the scalability of the business itself. What makes this particularly challenging is that these patterns develop gradually, often going unnoticed until the impact becomes difficult to ignore. The most effective leaders recognise this early. They create space for dialogue without losing direction. They express conviction without dismissing perspective. They build environments where contribution is expected, not avoided. In doing so, they strengthen not only their business, but also their personal brand. For entrepreneurs operating at a stage where growth is no longer just about execution but about expanding thinking, this becomes an important point of reflection. If there is even a possibility that your current interactions are limiting the quality of thinking around you, it is worth addressing before it begins to affect outcomes. I work with a select group of founders and professionals to help them refine how they are perceived, communicate with greater impact, and build personal brands that support sustained growth. You may explore this further here: https://sprect.com/pro/divyaaadvaani In the long run, it is not only the decisions you make, but the thinking you allow around those decisions, that determines how far your business can truly grow. (The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Janhavi Deodhar becomes India and UAE’s youngest female PADI course director

Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time
Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time

Mumbai: In a groundbreaking achievement that challenges societal norms and paves the way for future generations, Janhavi Deodhar, 23 years old from Mumbai has become India and UAE’s youngest female scuba diving PADI Course Director (professional association of diving instructors)


This remarkable feat not only showcases her exceptional skills and passion for the underwater world but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female divers and educators.


Janhavi's journey to becoming a PADI Course Director began at a young age when she first discovered her love for the ocean at the age of 16 in Malvan, Sindhudurg her native town.


Driven by her curiosity and a desire to explore the depths, she embarked on a rigorous training program to obtain her scuba diving certifications and marking her first milestone as "One of the youngest PADI female specialty instructor from India in PADI" at the age of 20.


Her dedication and talent quickly set her apart, and she rapidly progressed through the ranks of diving education and diving industry.


As a youngest and first female Indian PADI Course Director, Deodhar is responsible for training and certifying other individuals in scuba diving.


Her role involves teaching a wide range of diving Instructors , from beginner to advanced levels, and ensuring the safety and well-being of her students. Her expertise and enthusiasm have made her a highly sought-after instructor, and she has mentored countless pro level candidates and individuals in their underwater adventures and professional career.


Janhavi's achievement is particularly significant, given the underrepresentation of women in the field of scuba diving.


By breaking this glass ceiling, she is not only inspiring other young women to pursue their dreams but also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive diving community.


Her accomplishment is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and unwavering belief in herself.

It is a reminder that with passion, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, anything is possible.

"The ocean has always called to me. Its vastness, its mysteries, its silent beauty – it was an allure I couldn’t resist,” says Deodhar.


She started diving young, captivated by the underwater world and its incredible inhabitants. What began as a passion quickly morphed into a desire to share this experience, to guide others on their own underwater journeys.


The training was rigorous, demanding, but she thrived on the challenge.


“I loved teaching, sharing the knowledge I had acquired, and seeing the joy in others' eyes as they discovered the magic of scuba diving. But my ambitions were deeper and wider reaching far beyond the confines of my instructor certification. I wanted to be a PADI Course Director, the highest level of instruction in the diving world,” she says.


However, the journey to becoming a Course Director is long and arduous. It requires extensive training, and a commitment that borders on obsession. For a young woman, the challenges were even greater. The diving world, for too long, has been a male-dominated field.


“I faced skepticism, doubt, and the weight of expectations. But I was determined to prove that age and gender were no barriers to my dreams. I dedicated myself to the training, pouring every ounce of energy into honing my skills,” she says.


Days bled into nights, filled with studying, practicing, and immersing myself in the intricacies of diving theory and practice. The financial strain was considerable, demanding careful budgeting and sacrifices. But the fire within her burned brighter than any obstacle. The pressure was immense, but her dedication, commitment and passion had prepared her for this moment.


“When the results were announced, and I learned I had become the youngest Indian female PADI Course Director it felt like a culmination of unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work. It was more than just an achievement – it was a victory for all women who dare to dream big and push boundaries. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade a single moment. It was a journey that shaped me, forged my character, and taught me the true meaning of perseverance.”


Now, as Deodhar stands before my students, eager to learn and embark on their own diving journeys, she carries the weight of their aspirations and the responsibility to guide them with the same passion and dedication that fueled my own journey.


“My hope is that my story will inspire other young women, showing them that anything is possible if they dare to dream big and dive deep into their passions," she says.

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