A doctor by degree, an entrepreneur by heart. A leader who believes trust in leadership and purpose-driven organizations will shape the future of work.
This is Ritesh Malik’s story—a journey of bold decisions, high-stakes bets, and building Innov8 into a trailblazing brand.
In the first episode of The 80/20 Podcast, Vaibhav Vardhan sits down with Ritesh to uncover what it truly takes to stand out in a world where strong will, adaptability, growth strategies, and integrity define success.
Dive into the story that will change the way you think about work culture, startups, modern leadership, and personal growth.
5 Key Takeaways From The Episode 💡
💡 Employee Mindset vs. Leadership Mindset:
Ritesh highlights the shift from a survival-focused employee mindset to an ownership-driven mindset as the cornerstone of leadership.
“Ownership is not defined by equity,” he asserts. “The day you start working somewhere, consider you have equity. Your reputation is your true currency.”
He urges listeners to abandon the “bare minimum” approach and instead adopt an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on impact and accountability.
💡 Integrity, Will, and Skill (IWS Framework):
Hiring for startups is notoriously tricky, but Ritesh offers a unique perspective – prioritise integrity above all else.
“Integrity with will, wins the world,” he declares, emphasising that skills can be learned, but trust and drive are irreplaceable.
💡 The 20% That Drives 80% of Results
Central to the podcast's ethos is identifying the critical few actions that yield outsized results. Ritesh advises professionals to focus on value creation and attention.
“Attention is a beautiful currency," he notes. "Do one thing so well that it becomes impossible to ignore.”
💡 Trust Quotient: The Future of Leadership
In an era where relationships define growth, trust is non-negotiable. Ritesh predicts that the 2020s will pivot from emotional intelligence (EQ) to trust quotient (TQ) as the defining trait of successful leaders.
“Trust Quotient is built not during good times but when challenges arise,” he explains.
💡 Navigating Insecurity in High-Pressure Roles
In an era of volatility, insecurity is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Ritesh reframes insecurity as a driver of preparation, urging leaders to channel introspection into decisive action. His framework – “Insecurity → Introspection → Action → Learning” – provides a roadmap for growth.
The 80/20 Podcast– Tune in! 🎙️
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#RiteshMalik: Founder of Innov8 Coworking
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Timestamps:
00:00- Intro
2:30- How does one prepare themselves for startups?
5:45- From intern to Chief of Design at Innov8
7:52- Importance of integrity while hiring
10:36- The trust factor at work
14:50- Education, AI & Future of Jobs
17:35- The learning quotient
18:46- Difference between an IC and a Manager
22:42- How to become a manager?
24:02- Nepotism in Startups
24:40- Difference between a manager and a leader
27:12- The Luck Raiser
36:28- The family culture of startups
39:40- Training leaders and employees in a startup
46:55- Employee mindset vs. leadership mindset
49:46- Delhi Vs Bengaluru- Leadership style
51:02- Work-life balance
