From Ground Zero to Guinness World Records: The Leadership Behind Breakthrough Innovation with Hiten Sonpal

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, to explore the intersection of innovation, leadership, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. From immigrating to the United States from India to deploying robotics at Ground Zero after 9/11 and leading breakthrough technologies that challenge decades-old industries, Hiten shares the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, Marc and Hiten discuss why the best leaders intentionally seek discomfort, how psychological safety fuels innovation, and why great organizations thrive when leaders empower their teams rather than control them. Hiten also shares lessons from scaling products at iRobot, commercializing new technologies, and leading a startup that's reimagining industrial machinery through sustainable alternatives to traditional hydraulics. Listeners will gain practical insights into navigating conflict, building high-performing teams, embracing continuous learning, and balancing innovation with disciplined execution. Whether you're leading a startup, a large organization, or simply looking to grow as a leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on turning challenges into opportunities for lasting impact. The episode concludes with actionable advice for aspiring leaders: Put yourself in uncomfortable situations that stretch your abilities. Create an environment where mistakes become opportunities for learning. Commit to continuous learning and remain flexible as the world changes. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, innovation, and the leadership mindset required to build both breakthrough technologies and exceptional teams. Connect with Hiten Sonpal: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiten-sonpal/ Rise Robotics: https://www.riserobotics.com