Our pride for how we help our clients all comes from the people within our team, who are united by a passion for seeing people thrive in a job and organisation they love whilst enabling tech businesses to grow and continue making the world a better place.

Individually though, everyone is unique in their approach, expertise and experience. Our team series celebrates those differences, giving you a closer look at the humans behind the growth and success we’re able to offer to our clients and the tech start-up community. 

The latest article puts the spotlight on Vinisha (Vinnie to her pals) Rathod. She joined Think & Grow as a Partner with a bang and continues to be an ambitious member of our team who strives for more representation and mental health agendas within the tech start-up space. 

What are your key areas of expertise at Think & Grow?

• Org design
• Talent strategy 
• Operating model / growth 
• Leadership development
• Culture
• Board advisory 

Anything in your previous work experience that’s shaped the human you are today?  

• I’m a child of immigrant parents, I often struggled with my identity and where I belonged. Finding my tribe is important and something I often encourage others to do, the environment can be so much stronger than the person. 
• Constantly challenging my growth mindset to overcome imposter syndrome (this is where my passion comes from helping others do the same) and creating safe spaces within the tech start-up world. 
• I was part of the people and organisation consulting practices in Boston Consulting Group and Ernst & Young, where I was fortunate to meet some incredible mentors, lifelong friends and learn consulting fundamentals.
• I did the Australian pilgrimage and relocated to London for a couple of years, one of my most memorable moments was working for the first blind transgender person in parliament (Emily Brothers). 
• ‘Useful’ life skills learned include juggling multiple priorities (4 jobs during university), hosting pub crawls, finding out information without google, living a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget (aka my travel adventures), finding the perfect memes to share joys and sorrows.

What is it about your role that you are most passionate about? 

Helping clients on their journey of growing! The start-up and scale-up space is filled with people who want to experiment and take chances which excites me. Most organisations we work with are finding creative ways to use technology to make our world a better place, so I feel both honoured and grateful that the skills I’ve gained over the last 12 years can be of service to those companies. I’m also learning so much from our clients and partners which is invaluable.

What social issues speak to you and how do you think companies could champion them better? 

‍Socio-economic diversity: Giving an individual who did not go to a private school, doesn’t have influential connections or the most tangible start-up experience a chance to do something they love. Sometimes it’s worth opening the door if they have the grit, attitude and skills to do the job. 

The domestic violence and mental health agenda: It's estimated that one woman in Australia is killed every week by the hands of a partner or ex-partner and approximately 7 men kill themselves per day. Organisations can set a precedence in how people are to treat other and support those who are facing incredibly difficult situations. To some people, work is the only safe haven that they have.

Do you have any fresh insights that you find interesting in the Australian market right now? 

Here are a few ideas that I’d like to see brought to life and encouraged to develop the ecosystem and make it a better place to be involved in: 

• Promoting and hiring adults who don’t project their insecurities onto others. It is very human to feel inadequate at times and make mistakes, however it is important to promote an environment that encourages reflecting and has little tolerance for deflecting on others. A growth mindset is important for creating a collaborative, innovative and warm environment. 
• Unhealthy Ego’s are removed from the workplace. I’ve been in organisations where leaders and colleagues have created a culture of scarcity and unhealthy competition which has led to mental health problems and reduced productivity (silent resignation/ checked out).
• Sharing when you feel vulnerable and supporting those strong enough to be vulnerable. Business success today doesn’t rely on ruthlessness, cut-throat attitudes and a ‘strong’ mental attitude. The struggles and loneliness founders face is well-known and yet there is still a reluctance to reveal it (for both men and women), despite the fact that being ‘real’ and honest is endearing, relatable and encourages trust.‍
• Look after your people and your people will look after you. Post-pandemic ways of working have evolved to lean towards the importance of health and working in a supportive environment. An unhealthy environment leads to an unhealthy and demotivated team vs a healthy, invigorating culture leads to productive, happy employees.

What’s a surprising or positive trend you’ve noticed that is impacting Australian start-ups success in the local market or expanding globally?  

Start-ups are able to adapt faster to the ‘flexible working’ workforce. Money isn’t the only factor that’s driving people – the flexibility of working wherever they choose is a desired factor in the search for where people want to stay or go to.

What attracted you to join Think & Grow? 

Working with inspiring companies and colleagues. Each day is different and I couldn't be more fortunate to work with colleagues who trust me and nurture me to my full potential.

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Get in touch with vinisha@thinkandgrowinc.com to find out more about how we help our clients develop winning EVPs, organisational structures and hiring strategies for growth.