Kiran Chitluri on Right Relationship: Leading With Humanity in Tech, Teams, and Life
- chri116
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
Summary:
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, let’s hear it from Kiran Chitluri, a seasoned coach with 25 years of experience as a software engineer and manager whose leadership work bridges technology and humanity. Kiran has guided leaders and teams at some of the world’s most innovative companies, creating spaces where vulnerability, authenticity, and connection fuel results.
Kiran shares his unique perspective on right relationship, what it means in leadership, team culture, technology, and even parenting. Drawing from decades inside high-pressure tech environments, he offers grounded insights on how leaders can cultivate trust, build cohesion, and balance high performance with deep connection.
In This Episode:
How “right relationship” looks in different contexts: self, family, colleagues, community, and technology
Why vulnerability accelerates trust and strengthens team bonds
Coaching skills that shift leaders from “fixing problems” to amplifying strengths
How team-designed alliances transform collaboration
Practical ways to humanize tech environments without sacrificing results
How parenting can mirror leadership growth and self-awareness
Intentional technology habits that preserve energy and focus
Order of Topics:
Right Relationship in Leadership
Humanity at Work
Connection Before Content
The Power of Human Connection
Reciprocity and the Infinity Loop
Right Relationship as a Parent
Mirrors and Self-Reflection
Navigating Home Life with Intentionality
Growing Capacity for Right Relationship at Home
Strengths-Based Leadership and Team Coaching
Coaching as a Pathway to Right Relationship
Designing Right Relationship in Teams
The Journey Over the Destination
Technology and Right Relationship
Vulnerability: The Heart of Connection
Action Items:
Cultivate “Right Relationship” Across All Life Dimensions
Reflect regularly on your relationships—with self, family, work, community, and environment.
Acknowledge shifting needs: Recognize that what’s required in each relational dimension can change over time.
Bring Your Whole Self to Work
Normalize vulnerability: Share uncertainties and emotions openly with colleagues.
Practice empathy: Seek to understand multiple perspectives within your team.
Encourage emotional honesty: Create space for genuine conversations about challenges and growth.
Prioritize Connection Before Content
Start meetings by checking in personally before diving into agendas or tasks.
Build trust through small acts of openness—share something personal or ask thoughtful questions.
Foster Reciprocity & Community Support
Practice giving and receiving help; notice how these cycles strengthen bonds (the "infinity loop").
Engage with neighbors or coworkers beyond transactional interactions—look for ways to support one another’s real-life needs.
Embrace Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength
Be willing to admit mistakes or not knowing all the answers; this builds rapid trust.
Model humility and openness so others feel safe doing the same.
Apply Strengths-Based Approaches in Teams
Use tools like Gallup CliftonStrengths to identify individual/team strengths.
Focus team discussions on leveraging strengths rather than fixing weaknesses.
Facilitate workshops where teammates share their unique talents and contributions.
Design Team Vision & Relational Practices Intentionally
Co-create shared values, vision statements, and agreements (“designed alliances”) with your team/family/community group—not just roles/tasks.
Revisit these regularly as part of ongoing development.
Invest Equally in Home Relationships
Treat family connections with intentionality akin to professional relationships.
Schedule reflection/check-in moments at home as you would at work meetings.
Write down recurring issues/insights for deeper processing together (journaling).
Manage Capacity & Practice Self-Care
Notice when energy is low across different life spheres; adjust expectations accordingly without guilt.
Incorporate transition rituals between work/home (e.g., walks outdoors).
Balance social engagement with solitude based on current needs.
Maintain Mindful Boundaries With Technology
Set conscious limits around screen time using built-in device summaries/tools.
Regularly assess tech habits: Are they serving creativity/life balance?
Schedule tech-free periods daily/weekly for restoration (“digital sabbath”).
About Kiran:
Kiran is a seasoned coach with 25 years’ experience as a software engineer and manager—uniquely positioned to empower leaders and teams in the tech world. Drawing on decades of hands-on industry experience, he helps individuals transform challenges into opportunities by uncovering their innate strengths and refining their leadership styles.
Known for his deep empathy, strategic insight, and commitment to genuine connection, Kiran’s sessions are more than conversations—they’re transformative experiences. His ability to create safe spaces for vulnerability and candid discussion has earned praise from top-tier companies. One engineering manager credited Kiran with helping them “find my center” and pivot into a new role, while product leaders have called his sessions “priceless” for igniting team cohesion.
From CliftonStrengths workshops to strategic planning and team values sessions, his work consistently leads to greater productivity, renewed confidence, and stronger, more aligned teams.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitluripix/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chitluri
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce, and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
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