Kartik Bakshi Director of Belkin – Leaders In Tech & Auto

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

“Stay curious, stay involved.”

I don’t believe in leading from a distance, especially in tech. Things move fast, and if you’re not learning, you’re already behind. My mantra is simple: keep asking questions, stay connected to the ground, and create a team culture that’s not afraid to adapt or unlearn.

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

When things get tough, I lead by showing up. I keep the team focused on what can be controlled—clear goals, small wins, and honest conversations. People don’t expect perfection, they expect presence. And I make sure they know I’ve got their back.

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

AI can optimize a lot of things—but it can’t replace human judgment, empathy, or trust. I think leadership now is less about giving answers and more about asking better questions. You need to bring clarity, build trust, and create space for people to do their best thinking. Machines can’t do that

4. Tell us about a major screw-up in your career—what went wrong and what did you learn?

To be honest, I’ve had plenty of screw-ups over the years. Some big, some small—but all of them have taught me something. I don’t think there’s any leader who hasn’t stumbled. What’s mattered most is how I responded—by taking ownership, learning the lesson, and moving forward with clarity.

For me, failure has never been a full stop. It’s more like a comma—a pause to reflect, regroup, and reset.

Also Read: John Hung, General Manager of MSI India – Leaders In Tech & Auto

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

Trying to be everything, everywhere, all at once. There’s a rush to launch, to scale, to ride the next big wave. But sometimes they forget the basics—solving a real problem, staying close to the user, and building something that actually lasts.

6. How do you handle failure, and how do you encourage a failure-friendly culture?

I try to treat failure as feedback. If something doesn’t work, we look at why, learn from it, and move on—without turning it into a blame game. I remind my team that if we never fail, we’re probably not trying anything new.

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

I think AI at the edge—where devices make real-time decisions without cloud lag—is going to shift everything. Especially in auto and consumer tech, this could change how we interact with hardware. It’s not just about smart devices—it’s about smarter, faster systems.

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

Running is my go-to. It helps me clear my head and reconnect with myself. And I guard my mornings—no work calls, no Slack. Just tea, some quiet, and movement. It makes a huge difference in how I show up during the day

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

The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant had a big impact on me. It taught me the value of discipline, focus, and constantly pushing your limits—not just physically, but mentally. As a leader, it reminded me to stay agile, lead by example, and show up every day 

10. Podcasts and inspiring quotes you’d recommend to our readers

I enjoy listening to Joe Rogan and Neil deGrasse Tyson—both bring very different perspectives, but each challenges the way I think. Whether it’s science, mindset, or just deep conversations, there’s always something to take away.

Quote I live by – too many to quote 🙂 However, I always believe “Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha