In the world of corporate training and growth coaching, there are some stories that stand out because they are deeply driven by passion, more than their profession . One such story is of Niharika Gangwar, founder of Navigate Growth, who wants to empower people and enterprise as well.
We got an opportunity to have a conversation with Niharika and she told us about her story from the beginning and the challenges that came in her way while chasing her dream.
Q1.Could you briefly describe your early years and the factors that motivated you to pursue corporate training and entrepreneurship?
I grew up in a service-class family where job security was seen as the ultimate goal. My father and husband are both civil servants, and business was never part of our family’s story. But my parents gave me and my two sisters something priceless and that is the best education and the courage to dream beyond what was familiar.
From La Martiniere Girls’ College and Lady Shri Ram College to TISS Mumbai, SIIB Pune, and IIM Kolkata, my academic journey shaped not just my skills but my perspective on life. Over seventeen years, I worked across academia, NGOs, and the corporate world, learning how people think, grow, and thrive in different spaces.
Somewhere along the way, I realised that my true calling was not just to work for organisations but to help build them from within. I wanted to create something that blended my professional experience with my passion for human growth. That’s how I stepped into corporate training and entrepreneurship. It wasn’t a planned move, but a heartfelt one — a journey that allows me to empower others while continuing to evolve myself.
I believe in:
“Business is not always inherited, sometimes it is created from passion.”
Q2. Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor in life?
I am inspired by women who courageously remove barriers and create opportunities for themselves. My greatest source of encouragement and support is my daughter, who is always there to remind me of how important this journey is.
Q3. Did you experience a turning point that shaped your career as a trainer?
Of course. I began to see that, besides an absence of talent, individuals often have trouble as they are not in a suitable setting, have the wrong mindset, or have the wrong skills. I decided to take a risk and while doing my job I started this company, Navigate Growth. It has now become my career and a passion.
Q4. How would you define your work as a corporate trainer and growth coach?
I firmly think that one can learn skills. Finding people’s skills gaps—whether in confidence, leadership, or communication—and helping them fill them is the main focus of my work.
I believe that growth involves two things: first, learning a skill, and secondly, cultivating a mindset that will encourage your commitment as you advance. This philosophy became the heart of my journey and also the inspiration behind my digital journey of Instagram page, “The Growth Mindset. Through that space, I share thoughts, tools, and stories that encourage people to see growth as a continuous process, one that begins within. It’s more than just a page; it’s a reflection of what I stand for helping people grow into the best version of themselves, personally and professionally.
Q5.What challenges did you first experience and how did you resolve them?
The most challenging part for me was responding to people who have different perspectives and opinions about my choice was the biggest challenge. They asked many questions and made judgements about why I have to leave my job when I am at a very good pay scale. Some people say why you have to leave a comfortable job and start something which is not certain. But throughout that face my mom was firmly standing by my side and offered me continued support. However, through my mom’s support and my unshakable determination I overcame all the obstacles that came my way. At the end I realized:
“Judgments fade, but conviction endures.”
Q6. What particular techniques or strategies do you use during your training sessions?
I conduct my training sessions based on experiences rather than lectures. I utilize strategies such as role plays, simulations, reflective activities, and scenario-based elements, to help students acquire and remember concepts. Learning is much more effective and powerful when individuals are involved in an active learning experience, rather than a passive one.
Q7. In which sector you have trained most and what are the common ones that you faced frequently?
I have worked in a variety of industries, including hotels, hospitals, colleges, FMCG, NGOs, and MSMEs. In all of these fields, I have observed that low confidence, interpersonal conflict, poor communication, and resistance to change are common issues. This has made me believe that effective training should address the needs and potential of the trainees, and that it is more about the trainees than the industry.
Q8. How do you assess the efficiency of your training programs? What motivated you to begin your business career?
Success is evident when performance is enhanced, teamwork becomes strong, and skills have improved. Yet, real achievement occurs when individuals begin to view learning as a continuous process, instead of something that happens once.
Also I many times emphasize on my idea that
“Real achievement is when people see learning as a journey, not a destination.”
Since day one, the mission of Navigate Growth is to make a difference. My goal was to establish an environment where individuals could realize their full potential and grow as individuals and professionals. I usually post on my Instagram Page that is The Growth Mindset, to share my motivating thoughts and source of inspiration. I believe in being motivated and pass that energy to others.
Q9. What impact do you think AI-powered learning platforms will have on human trainers?
AI is an incredibly efficient tool for scaling and personalizing learning. However, no technology can replace empathy, intuition, or motivation skills. In a way, AI is a partner that allows trainers like me to have the freedom to concentrate on deeper human connection.
Q10. Which institute had the biggest impact on your training philosophy, and how have your experiences at IIM, TISS, and SIIB influenced it?
Each institution that I’ve been a part of has contributed to my development in a different way: SIIB helped me develop my ability to think strategically, TISS helped me develop empathy, IIM helped me improve my decision-making and management skills, and LSR helped me improve my critical reasoning. Combining these lessons enable me to develop programs that are high-impact, people-centered, and well-considered.
Q11. What is the primary motive and vision that was the foundation of establishing Navigate Growth?
The sole motive and vision of establishing Navigate Growth was to develop a space that empowers people to unlock their full potential. It was about more than traditional learning. It was about building confidence, resilience, and authentic growth in individuals and teams.
Q12. In the contemporary world, what are the three qualities that are most important?
The three most crucial traits in today’s world, in my opinion, are empathy, adaptability, and accountability. Empathy aids in creating sincere connections, accountability promotes trust by taking responsibility for both achievements and failures, and flexibility keeps us adaptive. They serve as the cornerstone for both personal development and successful leadership.
Q13. Do you think that being a leader comes naturally or through education?
Although it is something that can be learned, I believe that we are not born leaders. Since I was not born with leadership qualities, I learned skills that shaped my abilities and skills gradually with practice and determination. I strongly believe in a thought that
“A leader can be anyone who is willing to learn and develop”
Q14. Over the next five years, which trends do you believe will influence learning and development?
Our present world has changed a lot if we compare it from the past. We are in an AI-world where I support personalized learning, blended learning (i.e., AI + human training), heightened focus on emotional intelligence and soft skills, and data-driven insights to determine our actual progress. But the key to the future lies in developing an ecosystem of ongoing, experiential learning.
Q15. What changes that education institutions make to make students future-ready?
By concentrating on skills instead of simple knowledge. Students should be taught the abilities such as logical thinking, creative-ideas, emotional intelligence along with problem solving as they will never go away. For students to succeed in their career, colleges and universities must also foster flexibility and a growth mindset.
Q16. Can you tell us the proudest moment and achievement of Navigate Growth so far? For me, receiving an award isn’t the most satisfying experience. It occurs when a person discovers an inherent potential in themselves. My efforts pays-off when I see my students push themselves beyond their comfort zone or achieve their goal which seems unachievable in the beginning.
Q17. What is your vision of Navigate Growth in the next 5 years?
The thought behind the foundation of Navigate Growth is a strategy that leads to assisting individuals and organizations to bring a change and realize their full-potential by also developing resilience. In the end, I want my students to learn the relevant skills that cultivate them as leaders and help people achieve not just success but also something extraordinary and significant.
To summarize and wrap up…
As our conversation came to an end, it was clear that Niharika sees growth as more than just noteworthy accomplishments or occasions. According to Niharika, growth means being resilient, honest with yourself, and curious about whatever life brings.
In Niharika’s own words,
“Progress is not linear, it is a lifelong journey of learning, unlearning, and starting over.”
Niharika sees, every challenge is an opportunity to shift and progress, every failure a hidden lesson, and every step forward an opportunity to create a positive impact.
Moreover, Niharika sees, as she continues to create her own story through Navigate progress, others might see what is possible for themselves and think to also live intentionally, with purpose, with commitment, and a belief that progress is always possible.
