In this episode, I speak with Shuchi, “SK” Khurana, CEO and President of Addiguru,  which focuses on real-time monitoring solutions for additive manufacturing.

SK’s journey into engineering was inspired by his father, an engineer, and his passion for math and physics. Growing up in India, he pursued material science at a top engineering school before moving to the U.S. for graduate studies at Ohio State University. After gaining industry experience in research and product management, SK transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding multiple startups, including his current venture, Adiguru.

In our leadership segment, SK shared insights into managing underperforming team members through two case studies. In both instances, he emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of performance issues, providing structure and support, and investing time in mentorship. His approach led to significant improvements in productivity, demonstrating the value of patience and personalized guidance in leadership.

SK advises engineers aiming for leadership roles to carefully consider the responsibilities and challenges of management. He highlighted the importance of mentorship—both giving and receiving—and recommended taking time to develop leadership skills rather than rushing into managerial positions. His parting advice was to maintain honesty and authenticity, build relationships, and continuously seek learning opportunities.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/