Mumbai founder encourages employees to have side hustles: 'If my team isn't growing...'

For Vedika Bhaia, this aligns with 'the whole point of leadership' as every employee who stops growing is a direct reflection of her shortcomings as a leader. (Image credit: LinkedIn)

A Mumbai-based founder is encouraging her employees to pursue side hustles. Vedika Bhaia, founder of The Growth Square & Social Capital, believes that fostering individual growth is a key measure of leadership success.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Bhaia stated that she supports her team members in developing freelance ventures alongside their main roles. While her agency currently provides their primary income, she expressed a hope for her companies to one day become their employees' "side-hustle."

"If my team isn't growing, pushing boundaries, or building their personal brand, then I've failed as a founder," Bhaia wrote. She views any lack of employee growth as a direct reflection of her leadership.

Challenging the idea that "loyalty = working at one place forever," Bhaia highlighted several benefits of side hustles for today's workforce:

Side hustles make you tougher: They build resilience and adaptability.
Multiple income streams keep you safe: Providing financial security.
Different experiences help you grow faster: Broadening skills and perspectives.Passion projects keep you from burning out: Maintaining enthusiasm and preventing monotony.

She also shared her satisfaction in seeing team members launch successful companies, stating, "there's no better feeling than knowing I played a small part in their journey." She acknowledged that this approach sometimes means talented individuals move on to pursue larger aspirations.

For Bhaia, this aligns with "the whole point of leadership: To help people become so good that they can dream beyond their walls?"

On LinkedIn, users lauded Bhaia's fresh perspective on leadership.

"Love this take on leadership! More people need to hear this out LOUD!" commented Arwa Katib. Another user, Arya Madan, said, "Vedika absolutely love this, what a fresh perspective!" "This culture is pure love, where growth is rooted in trust, not control. So refreshing to see leaders who genuinely want their team to outgrow them," added Feroz M.