How Data Leaders Build New Technical Capabilities

Suresh Martha, Head of Data Driven Innovation and Analytics at EMD Serono, joins The Tech Trek for a practical conversation on what leadership looks like when your team is asked to take on new technical capabilities. This episode is about extending team impact, evaluating new tools, building credibility with stakeholders, and leading through change without pretending to be the deepest expert in every domain. For data leaders, analytics managers, technology executives, and operators, this conversation gets into the real work behind capability building. Suresh breaks down how to assess whether a new technology is worth pursuing, when to start with a pilot, how to upskill internal talent, and how to hire for skills your team does not yet have. In this episode • How to evaluate whether a new tool or technology actually adds business value • Why small pilots help leaders build trust before asking for larger investment • What it takes to lead technical work you have not personally done yourself • How to hire for capabilities your team does not yet have • Why business context and data knowledge still matter as much as technical depth Timestamped highlights 00:04 Extending technical impact as a leader when new capabilities land on your team 03:37 A simple framework for evaluating new tools, investment, and fit 05:28 Hiring for skills your team does not yet have 07:44 Upskilling as a leader so you can guide the work with confidence 12:06 Managing experts whose technical depth goes beyond your own 15:21 Making room for learning and experimentation while still delivering Standout line As long as I understand the intricacies and can explain that, that is what matters, especially for a leader. A practical takeaway Start small. Pick a real business problem. Run a focused pilot. Measure the outcome. Earn the right to scale. Follow The Tech Trek for more conversations with leaders building teams, systems, and technical capability inside modern businesses.