Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bhavik R. Shah. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bhavik, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Discovering my purpose has been a journey shaped by both personal experiences and professional aspirations. Initially, I felt adrift, conforming to the expectations of the corporate world without a clear sense of fulfillment. However, a pivotal moment arose when my team and I faced overwhelming challenges in the financial services sector, grappling with burnout and unrealistic demands under ineffective leadership.
It was during this tumultuous period that I recognized the pressing need for change—a realization that ignited a fervent desire to transform workplaces into environments where all individuals could thrive. This epiphany marked the beginning of my quest to empower the workforce, foster inclusivity, and hold leaders accountable for creating equitable systems.
Over time, I dedicated myself to this mission: to effect meaningful change within the workplace, strategically integrating mental health and DEIB initiatives within business priorities. As more clients succeeded in fostering a culture where employees felt empowered, I realized that purpose isn’t a lightning bolt; it’s a deliberate process rooted in understanding one’s skills and identifying the problems you wish to solve.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve built this business on supporting organizations to educate themselves on the complexities marginalized communities face. Instead of opting for a unique and flashy business name, I made the conscious decision to leave the company name as my own. ભાવિક is the Gujarati representation of my name, derived from my South Asian roots, reflecting my journey of embracing identity amidst past exclusion. Now, I honor its meaning daily: full of emotion and dedicated to faith.
Additionally, I draw experiences from my extensive financial services and consulting background to offer three distinct services:
Strategic Consulting & Advisory Services: I empower organizations to integrate strategy and empathy, fostering authentic culture change. By aligning business objectives with inclusive practices, I guide leaders in creating environments where all individuals can thrive.
Bespoke Workshops & Leadership Training: These workshops upskill leaders to cultivate diverse, high-performing teams and reinforce inclusion. Through tailored training programs, leaders learn practical strategies to foster a culture of belonging and empower their teams.
Keynote Presentations & Speaker Series: I equip businesses with actionable strategies to combat stereotypes, support mental health, and practice proactive allyship. By delivering engaging presentations and workshops, I inspire audiences to take tangible steps towards creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces.
In exciting developments, I’m actively engaging in speaking engagements on mental health + DEIB topics, especially at the intersection of AAPI and LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, I’ve formed partnerships with organizations like Call For Culture & Talmetrix to further my mission.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I attribute three key qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were instrumental in my journey:
Pragmatic Empathy: I realized that businesses wouldn’t halt operations to prioritize employee mental health & DEIB. Thus, cultivating a middle ground where leaders foster cultures of inclusion and empower employees to fulfill their roles effectively became paramount. Empowering organizations to embrace change, rather than resist it, has been a cornerstone. Integrating mental health & DEIB strategies within work culture empowers businesses to thrive while prioritizing key culture initiatives.
Agility: Leveraging the core expertise of agile methodology proved invaluable when overhauling systems of work. Similar to effective project governance, I utilized data to practically apply changes to existing policies, ensuring organizational success. Recognizing that implementing change in the workplace requires trial and error, akin to any new strategy, has been crucial. Understanding that we work with humans, with diverse identities and experiences, underscores the need for adaptive approaches.
Curiosity: Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and understanding that individuals are humans first has been transformative. Recognizing that external factors, such as social, political, religious, and geographic conflicts, impact employees’ is essential. Providing safe spaces for employees to discuss how their identities impact work, investing in specialized resources for marginalized experiences, and fostering vulnerability have been key to creating a psychologically safe workplace.
For those early in their journey, I advise starting small with a list of priorities and finding a business sponsor who will champion your cause. Collaborating with someone who supports your initiatives and advocates for them within the organization fosters collective buy-in. It’s crucial to understand that sustainable long-term change requires patience, especially when faced with competing business priorities. Recognizing that mental health and DEIB are integral to every aspect of the business is essential for fostering lasting change.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I am actively seeking collaboration opportunities with organizations and individuals who share a commitment to advancing mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIB) initiatives. Here are the types of partnerships I’m looking to cultivate:
Organizations with Strategic Vision: I am eager to partner with organizations that recognize the importance of mental health and DEIB efforts and are dedicated to curating and executing strategic implementations. Collaborating with such organizations will enable us to drive meaningful change and create inclusive work environments.
Startups and Tech Companies: I am particularly interested in collaborating with small startups and tech companies that offer Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions aimed at promoting mental health and DEIB in the workplace. While these companies may have innovative tools, they may require support in implementing change management strategies and driving customer success.
By leveraging my intersectional identities and corporate work experience, I can offer practical insights and guidance to facilitate effective change within these organizations.
If you are interested in collaborating or learning more about how we can work together, please feel free to connect with me directly through my website or LinkedIn profile (www.bhavikrshah.com). I look forward to exploring potential partnership opportunities and collectively driving a positive impact on mental health and DEIB.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bhavikrshah.com
- Instagram: bhavtalks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavik-r-shah/
