Invest in Building a Culture of Curiosity within Your Team: Interview with Pranav Dalal, Founder and CEO of Office Beacon

I recently went one-on-one with Pranav Dalal, founder and CEO of Office Beacon.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Pranav: Every setback is a nudge toward reinvention—at least, that’s how I’ve lived it. My journey has been defined by embracing failures as learning moments. One of the most pivotal was launching a service that flopped because we didn’t truly listen to our clients. That taught me the power of customer feedback, and since then, every decision has started with the question, ‘What do they need most?’

Adam: How did you come up with your business idea? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with great ideas?

Pranav: Our business idea came from a simple observation: companies often struggle to find reliable, skilled talent quickly. We saw the opportunity to bridge this gap by offering remote solutions. My advice? Pay attention to everyday frustrations—yours and others. The best ideas often solve common problems, so listen, observe, and then ask, ‘How can I make this easier?

Adam: How did you know your business idea was worth pursuing? What advice do you have on how to best test a business idea?

Pranav: I knew my business idea was worth pursuing when I saw a clear, unmet need paired with a scalable solution. My advice? Start small—test your idea with a pilot group or minimum viable product (MVP). Listen closely to real customer feedback, adapt quickly, and let their enthusiasm—or hesitation—guide your next move.

Adam: What are the key steps you have taken to grow your business? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?

Pranav: Empower your team with autonomy and clear goals—it’s a game-changer. When people feel ownership over their work, they bring ideas and solutions you’d never anticipate. Pair that with a relentless focus on understanding and solving your customers’ real pain points, and you’ll find growth happens naturally.

Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?

Pranav: Focus on understanding your customers deeply—what drives them, their pain points, and aspirations. Tailor your messaging to highlight how your product solves their specific challenges. And here’s the kicker: never underestimate the power of follow-up. Consistent, value-driven follow-ups build trust and often close the deal.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Pranav: An effective leader listens more than they speak and leads empathetically, creating an environment where others feel valued and empowered to contribute. To level up, focus on self-awareness—actively seek feedback, reflect on it, and adapt. Actual growth starts when leaders embrace vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Pranav: Trust is the foundation of any great team. Foster it by giving your team the autonomy to make decisions, paired with clear communication and consistent support. Remember, leadership isn’t about micromanaging—it’s about empowering your people to shine.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Pranav: 1. Prioritize clarity—clear communication fosters trust and avoids unnecessary confusion.
2. Delegate effectively—empower your team by trusting them with responsibility.
3. Stay curious—embrace learning as a lifelong habit to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing world.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Pranav: The best advice I’ve ever received is to focus on progress, not perfection. Waiting for the 'perfect' moment or plan often leads to missed opportunities. Instead, take that first step, learn from the process, and adjust along the way. Momentum builds confidence, and progress creates results.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Pranav: Invest in building a culture of curiosity within your team. Encourage questions, celebrate new ideas, and create an environment where it's safe to experiment. When people feel empowered to explore and innovate, it’s amazing how often they uncover solutions that elevate your entire business.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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