Mr. Narendra Lakshmana Gowda for being awarded “Technology Emerging Professional of The Year – Information Technology”

Awarded by Bizox Media Network as a Global Technology Leaders Awards 2024 

1. Brief us about the outset of your career.

The outset of my career was shaped by humble beginnings in a small village in India, where access to resources was limited, but my determination to pursue engineering was boundless. I cycled to school and college, driven by an innate curiosity for technology and a desire to break through barriers. My career officially began at Tieto Evry, a Nordic software company in Bengaluru India, where I learned the fundamentals of software engineering and developed a passion for building scalable systems. From there, my journey took me through leading tech organizations such as Google, Akamai, Zalando, and eventually Walmart, where I currently manage critical platform engineering efforts. Each step in my career was fueled by a hunger to solve complex problems, improve lives through technology, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of engineering. My early experiences instilled in me a deep sense of resilience, adaptability, and a never-ending quest for knowledge, which continue to guide my professional journey to this day.

2. As a successful leader, which three personal qualities do you believe contributed most to your success?
   
1. Curiosity: I have an endless thirst for learning, always seeking new ideas, whether through books, projects, or challenges. This drive to continually learn and grow has helped me stay ahead of the curve.
2. Resilience and Consistency: The ability to have high energy every day and also the ability to bounce back from failures has been crucial in my journey. Failures are stepping stones, and I’ve always seen them as learning opportunities that propel me forward.
3. Empathy: Leading with empathy has allowed me to create an environment where my team feels valued, empowered, and encouraged to take risks and innovate.
3. What are the aims and ideals that guide you as an individual and a professional?
   As an individual and a professional, my guiding aims and ideals are deeply rooted in creating meaningful impact to the organization I work, continuous learning, and empowering others. I believe in using technology as a force for good, solving real-world problems that improve the quality of life and build a better future for the next generation. At the core of my work is a passion for innovation—driving transformation in the systems I design and leading teams to build scalable, reliable, and powerful platforms that serve millions. Another fundamental ideal is empathy. I have always been committed to understanding the challenges people face, both in their professional and personal lives, and using that understanding to drive solutions that make life easier. I aim to create environments where teams thrive, individuals grow, and we all contribute to a larger purpose together. I’m also a firm believer in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it’s mastering new technologies or pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in software engineering, I strive to stay ahead of the curve. This mindset fuels my appetite for learning, my passion for engineering, and my commitment to improving both myself and the people around me. Ultimately, my goal is to be a force for positive change—helping to elevate others while continuously pushing the limits of innovation in my field.

4. What are the primary offerings of your company?

Currently, I manage critical platforms like the Inventory and Communications Platforms at Walmart. These platforms have a significant impact, powering everything from notifications for millions of customers to real-time inventory management at a massive scale. Our primary offerings focus on delivering scalable, robust, and innovative solutions that drive operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience in the retail space.

5. What have been the toughest obstacles you’ve faced in your career?

One of the toughest obstacles was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, I was separated from my family, who was in India, due to visa issues. The isolation was challenging, and while humans are social beings, I turned to books and deepened my technical skills to stay resilient. Professionally, understanding the complexities of distributed systems and scaling platforms while keeping things simple has also been a constant challenge, but it’s one I embrace as a learning experience.

6. Mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organization and yourself.

I’ve been fortunate to receive several awards throughout my career, including the 2024 Global Recognition Award, the International Achievers Award, and the Global Leaders Award. These honors reflect the impact of my contributions in platform engineering and leadership. I’ve also been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in leadership and have a large following(160000 followers) on YouTube and 10000 followers on linkedin and 5000 followers on medium, where my educational content has positively impacted engineers worldwide, helping them secure promotions and elevate their careers and work related technology understanding.

7. Do you have a mantra that you live by?

Yes, my mantra is: “Never stop learning, never stop growing.” This applies both to my professional journey and personal growth. The world is constantly evolving, and to succeed, we must remain curious, adaptable, and open to new ideas.

8. Who in your life inspires you the most?

My parents inspire me the most. Coming from a farmer’s background, they instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of education. Their sacrifices and determination shaped my worldview and continue to inspire me to push boundaries in everything I do.
I also take inspiration from my spouse who is hard working as me and also manages a lot of things about the family.

9. What would be your future endeavors, and where do you see yourself in the near future?In the near future, I envision myself continuing to drive global digital transformation efforts, focusing on building scalable, resilient systems that make a positive impact on people’s lives. I’m also excited about publishing my book on distributed systems and expanding my reach through educational content that empowers engineers. My long-term goal is to continue building platforms that solve complex problems and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
10. Your journey has been inspiring, and it sets a great example for aspiring leaders. What advice do you have for them?

To aspiring leaders, my advice is simple: Be curious, be resilient, and be empathetic. Never stop learning, no matter how experienced you are. The moment you stop growing is the moment you stop leading. Resilience is key—failures are inevitable, but they are also the best teachers. Finally, always lead with empathy. Understand the needs of your team, your customers, and the world around you. Leadership is not about you; it’s about empowering others to reach their full potential. And remember, success is not just about personal achievement but about the positive impact you create.

Mr. Narendra Lakshmana Gowda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narendra-l/