Birthdays are more than just celebrations — they’re an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and set the course for the future. As I celebrate mine today, March 24, I want to share three key moments from the past year that hold valuable leadership lessons for tech scaleup founders and executives.

That’s the topic of today’s 2-minute episode of 🚗 CarTalk with Kartik brought to you by Caribou Strategic — helping tech scaleups stand out and succeed.

1. Celebrate Wins — It Strengthens Your Team

One of my proudest moments this year was watching my daughter perform on stage in Rome, Italy. Seeing her hard work come to life was a reminder that achievements — big or small — deserve recognition.

Leadership Insight:

If you’re leading a tech scaleup, celebrate your team’s accomplishments. Recognizing milestones fosters motivation, builds a stronger team culture, and ultimately drives better results.

🔹 Actionable Tip: Take time to acknowledge your team’s contributions in meetings, company-wide updates, or even with a simple “thank you.” It goes a long way.

2. Collaboration Fuels Growth

Another major highlight was launching my bestselling book, Product Marketing Wisdom. This wouldn’t have been possible without collaborating with over 100 thought leaders. Their collective knowledge made the book far richer than anything I could have created alone.

Leadership Insight:

At a tech scaleup, your success is directly tied to the people you collaborate with. Whether it’s industry peers, partners, or customers, tapping into collective intelligence accelerates progress.

🔹 Actionable Tip: Build partnerships, seek external input, and actively engage with industry leaders. The best ideas don’t happen in isolation.

3. Every Great Leader Has a Guide

This year, I also visited my college roommate in Toronto. He has been a constant source of guidance, helping me navigate personal and professional challenges.

Leadership Insight:

Every leader needs a mentor. Whether it’s a coach, an advisor, or a trusted peer, having someone who can challenge your thinking and offer perspective is invaluable.

🔹 Actionable Tip: Identify someone who has been where you want to go. Reach out, schedule regular check-ins, and actively seek their input.

Make the Next 12 Months Even Better

As I step into another year, these three lessons — celebrating wins, embracing collaboration, and seeking guidance — will remain at the core of my journey. If you’re leading a tech scaleup, I encourage you to do the same.

For more insights on positioning, messaging, and growth strategies for tech scaleups, check out my Amazon bestseller, Product Marketing Wisdom - get your free copy HERE.