We were lucky to catch up with Shahin Mohammadkhani recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shahin, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The Blueprint for Success: Passion, Purpose, and Perseverance
In the relentless pursuit of success, we often find ourselves searching for that magic formula, that secret ingredient that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. But let me tell you something: success isn’t about secrets. It’s about sweat. It’s about purpose. It’s about the fire in your belly that refuses to be extinguished.
The Power of Your ‘Why’
Every single person has a why. It’s that deep-seated reason that gets you out of bed in the morning, that drives you to push beyond your limits. Your why is your purpose, your cause, your belief. It’s the very core of your existence. Without a strong why, you’re just going through the motions, existing but not truly living.
Ask yourself: What’s your why? What gets your blood pumping? What makes you come alive? When you find that, you’ve found your North Star. Everything else – your what and your how – will fall into place.
The Grind: Where Dreams Become Reality
Now, let’s get one thing straight. Having a purpose is not enough. You’ve got to be willing to work for it. Success is not for the faint of heart. It’s for those who are willing to put in the work when everyone else is sleeping. It’s for those who are willing to fail, to fall, to get back up, and to keep pushing forward.
Remember, the pain of discipline weighs ounces, but the pain of regret weighs tons. Every day, you’ve got a choice. You can either sleep in, or you can sleep in your dreams. You can either coast through life, or you can grind for your goals. The choice is yours, but so are the consequences.
Building Your Tribe
Success isn’t a solo journey. It’s about the people you surround yourself with, the relationships you build, the trust you cultivate. In this world of infinite connections, the quality of your relationships can make or break your success.
Find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who challenge you, who push you to be better. Be the leader who lifts others up, who creates an environment where everyone can thrive. Because when you help others succeed, you create a rising tide that lifts all boats – including your own.
The Marathon Mindset
Success is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s about consistency, about showing up day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about embracing the process, falling in love with the journey, not just the destination.
Develop a growth mindset. See every challenge as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to become better. Embrace failure as a teacher, not an enemy. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being better than you were yesterday.
The Call to Action
So here’s the deal. You’ve got dreams inside you, waiting to be unleashed. You’ve got potential that’s begging to be realized. But potential means nothing without action.
It’s time to dig deep. It’s time to find your why, to embrace the grind, to build your tribe, and to develop that marathon mindset. Success is waiting for you, but it won’t come knocking on your door. You’ve got to go out there and seize it.
Remember, when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful. When your why is strong enough, you’ll figure out how. So what are you waiting for? The time is now. Your future self is watching, waiting to see what you’ll do next.
Make the decision. Take the leap. Start your journey. Your success story is waiting to be written, and only you can write it

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Shahin Mohammadkhani: Driving Digital Transformation Through Empathetic Leadership
As a visionary technology executive, I’ve dedicated my career to driving digital transformation and cultural change through empathetic leadership. My journey in the entertainment and media sectors has been rich with experiences that have shaped my perspective on what it truly means to lead in the tech industry.
My Path to Tech Leadership
My passion for technology began early, leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. As my career progressed, I realized the importance of understanding the business side of technology, which prompted me to earn an MBA. This combination of technical expertise and business acumen has been instrumental in my ability to align IT and product strategies with business objectives in complex global organizations.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with major industry players such as United Talent Agency, Sony Pictures, and CBS Digital Media Group. Each role has presented unique challenges and opportunities, allowing me to refine my leadership style and strategic vision.
What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets me apart is my belief in the power of human connection in a tech-driven world. As I often say, “In a world driven by technology, the human element — our emotions and relationships — is what ultimately drives progress and prosperity.” This philosophy underpins everything I do, from managing diverse teams to implementing cutting-edge technologies.
I’m honored to have been recognized as a Transformational Leader by DevOps.com Magazine, an accolade that reflects my commitment to not just technological innovation, but also to nurturing the potential of the people I work with. I believe that “Empathy in leadership is not just about understanding others; it’s about creating a space where everyone can contribute their unique strengths.”
My Approach to Leadership and Innovation
In my current role as Vice President of Engineering at UTA, and in my previous positions at Sony Pictures and CBS Digital Media Group, I’ve consistently focused on creating psychologically safe environments that foster innovation. I firmly believe that “A psychologically safe environment is the cornerstone of true innovation; when team members feel secure, they are more likely to take risks and share bold ideas.”
My approach has yielded tangible results. At Sony Pictures Entertainment, for instance, I spearheaded the implementation of DevOps practices that achieved 14x operational efficiencies and enhanced security. But beyond the metrics, I’m most proud of the communities I’ve built and the hundreds of engineers I’ve had the opportunity to inspire and mentor.
What I Offer
To potential clients, collaborators, and team members, I offer:

A proven track record in digital transformation and technological innovation
A leadership style that prioritizes empathy, communication, and psychological safety
The ability to align technical strategies with business objectives
A commitment to nurturing talent and building strong, innovative teams
A unique perspective that balances technical expertise with a deep understanding of human dynamics

My Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, my mission is to continue empowering individuals to become their best selves by helping them discover their purpose and beliefs, using technology as a powerful medium for inspiration. I’m excited about the potential of AI and other emerging technologies, but I’m even more excited about the human potential we can unlock when we create the right environments for innovation and growth.
As I often remind my teams, “Effective communication is the bridge that connects individual talents to team success, transforming challenges into collaborative opportunities.” This is the ethos I bring to every project, every team, and every challenge.
I currently reside in California with my wife and two children, finding daily inspiration in the balance between family life and the dynamic world of technology leadership.
If you’re looking for a leader who can drive technological innovation while fostering a culture of empathy, creativity, and continuous growth, I’d be thrilled to connect and explore how we can create transformative change together.

Any advice for managing a team?

You know, when it comes to managing teams and keeping morale high, I’ve found that it all boils down to creating an environment where people feel safe, valued, and inspired. It’s about striking that perfect balance between pushing for excellence and nurturing your team’s well-being. I always say, “In a world driven by technology, the human element — our emotions and relationships — is what ultimately drives progress and prosperity.” And that’s really the heart of it.
Think about it this way: when your team members feel psychologically safe, when they know it’s okay to take risks and share ideas without fear of ridicule, that’s when the magic happens. It’s like opening the floodgates of innovation. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ve got to couple that safety with clear communication and genuine empathy. Get to know your team as people, not just employees. Understand their aspirations, their challenges. When you do that, you’re not just managing a team; you’re nurturing a community of innovators who are excited to come to work every day. And trust me, when you’ve got that kind of energy, the results speak for themselves. High morale isn’t just about happy employees; it’s about creating an unstoppable force of creativity and productivity.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

You know, when I reflect on what’s helped build my reputation in the tech industry, I think it really comes down to a blend of technical expertise and a deeply human-centered approach to leadership. My journey through companies like United Talent Agency, Sony Pictures, and CBS Digital Media Group has given me a unique perspective on how to drive innovation in complex global organizations. But it’s not just about the technical know-how or the big names on my resume. What’s really set me apart, I believe, is my commitment to transformational leadership and creating psychologically safe environments where innovation can thrive.
I’ve always believed that empathy is the secret sauce in leadership. As I often say, “In a world driven by technology, the human element — our emotions and relationships — is what ultimately drives progress and prosperity.” This philosophy has been at the core of everything I do, from implementing DevOps practices that achieved 14x operational efficiencies at Sony Pictures to building communities that extend beyond coding. It’s about understanding that behind every line of code, every technical challenge, there’s a person with unique strengths, aspirations, and ideas.
But reputation isn’t built on philosophy alone – it’s about delivering results. I’ve been fortunate to lead teams that have made significant impacts, aligning IT and product strategies with business objectives in ways that drive real value. Being recognized as a Transformational Leader by DevOps.com Magazine and Panel on Variety Magazine was a humbling acknowledgment of this work. Yet, what truly fulfills me is seeing the hundreds of engineers I’ve had the privilege to guide grow and succeed. I believe my reputation in the market has been built on this combination of driving tangible business outcomes while nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. It’s about showing that with the right leadership approach, we can achieve remarkable things in tech while also bringing out the best in people.

• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/shahink