Himanshu Tandon – Country Head, POCO India – Interview

1. What’s your leadership mantra in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape?

My leadership philosophy has three elements—integrity, innovation, and empowerment. I believe in building a culture of honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct, which cultivates trust within the team. I prioritise understanding my team’s perspective to create a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered and motivated to innovate. I encourage them to take initiative and deliver to the best of their potential.

2. How do you inspire and motivate your team during a challenging time?

I maintain a positive work environment where everyone feels included and valued. Through open communication and transparency, I help my team stay focused and overcome challenges.

3. In an era of AI and automation, how do you see the role of human leadership evolving?

As AI and automation take over repetitive tasks, leadership is becoming more about guiding people through change. Especially in the smartphone industry, teams need direction, not just data. AI offers insights, but it can’t build trust or unite a team. In a tech-driven world, the ability to connect, listen, and lead with empathy truly makes the difference.

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4. What’s a mistake you see many young tech entrepreneurs making?

Many focus solely on building a product or service, but neglect the importance of soft skills like communication and collaboration. These are essential to inspire others and lead effectively. Also, navigating tough situations is one of the best ways to develop adaptability and leadership skills.

5. How do you handle failure, and how do you encourage a failure-free environment?

I don’t view failure as something to be ‘handled’—it’s feedback in disguise. Every misstep has taught me something invaluable. At POCO, we don’t aim for a failure-free environment. That would mean we’re not pushing boundaries. Instead, we foster a culture where it’s okay to take calculated risks and treat setbacks as learning opportunities. I always say: fail fast, learn faster, and move forward.

6. What’s the next big disruption you foresee in the tech industry?

The convergence of AI and smartphones will redefine the user experience. We’re already seeing this with AI photography and smart battery management, but the future is hyper-personalised experiences powered by generative AI on your device. Another exciting space is spatial computing—smartphones becoming gateways to mixed reality. The real disruption, however, lies in making these innovations accessible to users in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. That’s where POCO thrives.

7. How do you unplug from the tech world? Any non-negotiable habits?

I enjoy following news across sectors and the stock market. For downtime, I unwind with good TV shows and sports. Being a coffee-lover, I’m always on the lookout for great cafes—it’s a great way to recharge and step away from the tech buzz.

8. What books changed your perspective on leadership & technology?

Tony Dungy’s The Mentor Leader had a lasting impact. It emphasises leading with humility and focusing on team development, which reinforced my belief that leadership is about nurturing potential rather than asserting authority.

9. What podcasts or quotes do you suggest for our readers?

I prefer content that sharpens perspective, on leadership, tech, or people. Staying curious and open to new ideas is essential in a fast-moving industry. A quote I live by is from Ratan Tata: “Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; create your own opportunities.” It encourages a proactive, hands-on mindset and creates a culture of ownership and momentum.