We recently had the privilege of interviewing Mahmoud Bouchelif, Founder and Managing Director of LeanTech SG, an organization helping incumbents“Lean” on “Tech” to develop tech-driven workforces and become digitally transformed.LeanTech delivers cutting-edge training across diverse domains, including GenAI, Data, Blockchain, Open Banking, Agile, and Customer Experience (CX), empowering professionals with the latest industry expertise.
Spark Behind The Journey
We first asked, “What inspired you to start or lead this business, and how has the journey surprised you?”
Mahmoud Bouchelif shared, “Having spent some time in traditional industries such as banking, telecom, and retail, I realized companies weren’t struggling in the digital age because they lacked technology but because their people weren’t ready and equipped to adapt.
Customer expectations were evolving, new players were disrupting industries, and yet many incumbents remained stuck, unable to bridge the gap between their workforce, technology, and the demands of the digital age. The more I saw this challenge, the clearer it became: true digital transformation isn’t just about implementing new tools and fancy apps; it requires a shift in mindset, continuous upskilling & reskilling, and a workforce ready for the future. This realization sparked a mission—to help organizations ‘Lean’ on ‘Tech’ by empowering people to embrace technology, and fostering a digital-first culture to become digitally transformed.”
Message To Younger Self
Interested to learn what Mahmoud would suggest to his younger self, if he had the chance, we asked, “If you could go back to your first year in this role, what advice would you give yourself?”
“When we first launched large-scale upskilling initiatives with our clients, they tended to focus on immediate needs—what seemed essential at that moment for their ongoing digital transformation. Looking back, we realized we should have encouraged them to take a broader view, anticipating future challenges hand in hand with executing their transformation efforts. A forward-thinking approach, aligned with present initiatives, is key to ensuring these programs truly deliver on their promise.” He mentioned.
Fragmenting The Challenges
We further asked, “How do you approach solving problems that don’t have clear solutions?”
Mahmoud Bouchelif added, “I learned that the best way to solve problems is through ‘First-Principles Thinking.’ A problem-solving approach used a lot by Elon Musk that breaks down complex problems into their most fundamental truths and then builds up solutions from there. It’s a way of thinking that challenges assumptions and conventional thinking by asking several questions, regarding the undeniable facts or fundamental principles of this problem, or why things work the way they do, and even questioning if we can create a better solution from the ground up rather than relying on existing methods.”
Career-Defining Experiences
We were interested to learn more about the events that shaped the business at the current position. So, we asked, “Can you share a unique experience that shaped the way you run your business today?”
“When COVID-19 hit, our industry was among the first to feel its impact. Overnight, every project disappeared, ongoing discussions were canceled, and everyone thought the virus would pass within weeks. But in reality, it became clear that we had to rethink everything. We pivoted our entire operational model, guiding our clients to embrace new ways of learning.
To our surprise, they adapted quickly, proving that digital transformation wasn’t just necessary, but was possible. That moment reinforced a powerful realization: with the right mindset, organizations could not only survive disruption but also use it as a catalyst for lasting change. And we exist to help them.” He explained.
Turning Out-Of-The-Box Ideas Into Success
To learn more about the ideas that turned out to be successful for Mahmoud Bouchelif’s journey, we asked, “What’s the most unconventional idea you’ve implemented, and how did it turn out?”
“From day one we attempted to validate a bold and unconventional idea—empowering non-tech professionals, with no prior experience in technology, to learn and apply it effectively. Whether it’s building digital products and services, optimizing internal processes, or integrating digital technologies into existing offerings, we believe true transformation happens when business people themselves take ownership of change.
Imagine you work in retail banking—we challenge you to not just rely on technology or transformation teams but to understand AI and its applications in banking firsthand. That way, you can drive transformation initiatives with confidence, ensuring they align with real business needs and meet customer expectations rather than being dictated by external forces. This approach has proven to be one of the most effective ways to achieve meaningful digital transformation, and we are committed to helping organizations implement it at scale.” Mahmoud mentioned.
Assessing New Opportunities
We also asked, “How do you identify and seize new opportunities in your industry?”
“As emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, companies must constantly evolve—rethinking how they operate, deliver products, and serve customers. The only way to stay ahead is through continuous transformation. Just a year ago, our clients were focused on Analytical & Predictive AI. Today, they need to understand Generative AI & Agentic AI, and soon, they’ll have to learn about Quantum Computing. Technology never stops, neither will transformation and empower people to be active participants in this journey, ensuring they drive change rather than being left behind by it.” He responded.
Fostering Growth And Unlocking Potential
Eager to learn Mahmoud’s leadership style, we asked, “If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be, and why?”
“Provocative—I believe a leader’s first responsibility is to set their team up for success. The best way to do that is by pushing them beyond their comfort zones—challenging them to think differently, figure out problems, and solve them on their own. Growth and success happen in discomfort and uncertainty, and my role is to create an environment where people unlock their full potential by embracing it.” He mentioned.
Turning Point For Growth
We asked, “What’s a challenge you faced that turned into an unexpected opportunity?”
“Again, COVID-19 was a turning point. Not only did we experience significant growth, but we also witnessed the adaptation from traditional companies that we never thought would appreciate the disruption coming to them.” Mahmoud Bouchelif added.
Transformation In The Industry
We ended the session by asking, “If you could change one thing about the industry you work in, what would it be?”
“There’s a common misconception about the ROI of training programs in digital transformation and how to measure it effectively. People tend to overestimate short-term gains while underestimating long-term impact. What we’ve learned is that true effectiveness requires a mid-to-long-term perspective. For transformation to succeed, L&D and transformation teams need more than just resources—they need full support and trust from leadership to drive meaningful and lasting change.” Mahmoud Bouchelif concluded.
Follow Mahmoud Bouchelif on LinkedIn.
Find LeanTech on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.leantech.sg
Also Read -:
Assisting Businesses To Reach Their True Potential Sign Become: Rehan Naeem
Offering Expertise In Financial Landscape: Faras Muhammad’s Journey To Al Hilal
About Author
