In this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, we dive deep with Balki Kotarapu, a fractional CTO and mentor who has led tech teams through intense growth, scaling companies from millions to tens of millions. Balki shares how vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and mental health awareness have become his superpowers in leadership. We explore why true strength isn't about having all the answers but about building trust, admitting gaps, and working through challenges together. This conversation unpacks lessons from high-stakes tech environments, the toll it takes on mental health, and the balance needed to thrive as both a leader and human. A must-listen for founders, tech leads, and anyone navigating leadership with authenticity.

About Balki Kotarapu: Balki Kotarapu is a seasoned fractional CTO, entrepreneur, and mentor with a proven track record of scaling startups and building high-performance teams. Having raised over $150 million and developed AI products for Fortune 100 companies, Balki’s leadership style is grounded in vulnerability, clarity, and emotional intelligence. He is passionate about reshaping toxic tech cultures and fostering environments where both people and products succeed.

Key Takeaways:

• Why vulnerability is a leadership strength, not a weakness.

• The hidden cost of overwork in high-stakes tech roles.

• How balancing personal and professional life boosts leadership performance.

• The role of emotional intelligence in solving technical bottlenecks.

• Insights on reshaping toxic work cultures to prioritize well-being.

Connect with Balki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balki

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