On the Radar: MORE Power to You!

“Never in a million years I would have thought an engineer, a STEM professional like me, would be on an acclaimed list of management thinkers. It’s a pinch-me moment!” I said.

“Say more…” she said.

Last month I found out that I was named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar for 2025. Every year the Radar identifies 30 emerging management thinkers poised to shape the future of how organizations are managed and led. Historically, the list has been dominated by business school academics, renowned consultants, and authors of bestselling management books.

In quick scanning, the past Radar listers have tremendous accomplishments: publications in a highly acclaimed management journals like Harvard Business Review, position at a top tier business school, author of a groundbreaking business bestseller, a high-profile consultancy service.

“Well, you don’t got that? You are a scientist, an engineer! How did you get on the radar?”

More than meets the eye

Indeed, I am an engineer by training, a scientist working in corporate innovation, that too as an individual contributor. I lack the traditional credentials that seem prerequisite for a management related recognition. My selection to the Radar List may challenge not just assumptions, but also the very notion of who is a thinker and what makes their ideas influential.

In any field, and certainly in the world of thought leadership and professional recognition, there are visible benchmarks that typically determine who gets noticed, who gets listed, and who gets celebrated. Every recognition carries a formal as well informal criteria to evaluate excellence and impact -- these may help determine standards for being shortlisted. Additionally, there are the fundamental elements that shape recognition and success. These can be quantifiable measures -- numbers that can often serve as gatekeepers, determining who gets considered for recognition and who doesn't.

Beyond that there is professional credibility, image and positioning. These may shape how your ideas are received and whether you're considered a "serious" voice in your field. And finally, what makes it come to life in many ways is the how you show-up, your commitment and authentic presence. This is often the X-factor. ?

And of course, there is also a strong role of luck, destiny and timing – sometimes it just all comes together.

That’s more like it

Through my journey of Not the Science type to Chief Science Advocate, from a summer intern to a corporate scientist, from working on durable diamond coatings in academia to disposable diapers in industry, from a product development engineer to now a management thought leader, what I have learned is – with the right energetics, you can change the rubrics; you can alter the metrics and transform the optics of who enters, of who persists and who excels in thought leadership, or in STEM for that matter.

The tactics -- sometimes MORE is better: ?

Metrics: Breaking the Measurement Myth

Optics: Turning Different into Distinctive

Rubrics: Rewriting the Rules

Energetics: Accessing the Authentic Drive

It is not an academic theory, but a battle-tested approach to breaking through barriers when conventional wisdom may say you can't. Scientists and engineers are empowered to lead change. They can play a critical role in building bridges between technical expertise and business strategy. In addition to innovation and its execution, they can help with real-world transformation of organizational practices armed with field-tested insights instead of case studies. A unique perspective on innovation from the trenches can help in solving real problems in real organizations by adding technical depth to business conversations and practical experience to theoretical discussions on the topics ranging from contextual knowledge, cultural tenets and committed leadership.

The lesson? Create your own metrics that reflect real impact, not just traditional credentials. Being different isn't a weakness – it can be a superpower.

Many criteria often call for "radical and realistic" thinking. Sometimes, the most radical thing is changing the optics by bringing a completely different perspective to the conversation. Sometimes, breaking through means breaking the rubric while still serving its fundamental purpose.

There is a need for ideas that have "the power to make the world a better place." It's not about mimicking traditional thought leaders' style or presence. It can be more about bringing your authentic self to every interaction, leading with passion for your field, converting technical expertise into accessible wisdom and energizing others through genuine enthusiasm. It is about the energy you bring to your mission – your energy, that aligns with who you are, not who others expect you to be.

Need I say more?

It is an important realization that for "ideas that make a real difference in the world" you don't need to transform yourself into someone else to make that difference. The very qualities that make you "different" can often become your greatest strengths. Being in the trenches often gives insights that can't be gained from an ivory tower. ?Hands-on experience can also allow worthy contributions to theoretical knowledge.

The ability to bridge technical expertise and business impact is increasingly valuable in our technology-driven world today.

To every engineer working in business...

To every scientist with thought leadership ambitions...

To every technical expert told "but that's not your field"...

To everyone who doesn't believe they fit the traditional mold...

The Call to Action is to get outside the comfort zone – more often.

The world needs more voices that understand innovation from the inside out, voices that can bridge the gap between theory and practice.

The MORE Framework isn't about following a prescribed path - it's about creating your own. I made it to the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2025 not by fitting in, but by standing out. Not by changing who I am, but by embracing it fully.

Many thanks to those who helped me do MORE -- through their support, validation, collaboration and the nomination.

Remember: The Thinkers50 Radar list seeks those who will shape the future of management. Sometimes the best way to shape that future isn't to play the game better – it is to change the game entirely.

“MORE power to you.” She said... striking a power pose.