Liyakhat Ali Khan Talks About His Book “LEADING BEYOND THE DESK: MY LESSONS FROM THE REAL WORLD OF LEADERSHIP”

About the Author:

Liyakhat Ali Khan is a seasoned R&D engineering leader with over 25 years of experience in the global automotive industry. Formerly Senior Program Manager at Mercedes Benz R&D India and Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, he has built and led high-performing, cross-border teams across Germany, Japan, and the U.S. A mechanical engineer from UVCE, Bangalore, and MBA(E) from Symbiosis, Pune, he blends technical expertise with business acumen. Specializing in interior systems, he holds multiple patents and awards for innovation and leadership. Based in Pune, he continues to champion human-centered leadership and innovation in complex engineering organizations.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: Over the years in leadership, I’ve realised something very simple but very important: our experiences may differ in details, but the patterns are often the same. You encounter similar situations, yet the solutions vary. Some decisions lead to success, others to failures — and in my case, there have been plenty of both. I felt strongly that these learnings shouldn’t end with me. What inspired me was the belief that future leaders deserve a reference point — something real, practical, and honest. If they can look at my journey, see what’s been tried, and find a relatable anchor for their own situations, then this book will have served its purpose. It’s the same way leaders before us have left behind their stories so others could navigate with more clarity. But there’s another reason that became even more important to me: Through my experiences, I’ve come to believe that leadership is not about the glory. It’s about responsibility. It’s about protecting your people, enabling them, being their voice, guiding them, and standing with them during the time they choose to walk with you. That mindset — leadership as service and stewardship — is something I wanted to articulate clearly.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: The book is essentially a collection of my real experiences — the situations I’ve lived through, the decisions I’ve made, the opinions I’ve formed, and the lessons I’ve gathered while working with my superiors, peers, and team members. Nothing in it is theoretical; it’s drawn directly from day-to-day leadership in the real world. I’ve structured the book to take the reader through a journey. It begins with a very fundamental question: Who do I believe a leader should be, and what do we truly expect from one? From there, it moves into the importance of consideration of the Human Factors — something I feel is non-negotiable in modern leadership. As the book progresses, I talk about what it means to lead in today’s world, where the speed, complexity, and expectations are very different. I also explore the mindset a leader must develop, including the constant reflection and self-awareness needed to stay grounded and effective. There is also a section on organizational culture — how it shapes people, how it influences behaviour, and why it’s often the true barrier or catalyst for leadership success. The book eventually brings all these themes together into one core idea: leadership is fundamentally about protection and empowerment. A leader’s role is not about titles or visibility; it’s about enabling people, being their voice, and safeguarding the space in which they grow. That’s the essence of the book — honest experiences, practical reflections, and a perspective on leadership that I hope future leaders can relate to and learn from.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: The title reflects a simple but powerful idea: real leadership doesn’t happen behind a desk — it happens in the real world, with real people, real pressures, and real consequences. “Leading Beyond the Desk” captures the essence of stepping out of the comfort zone of instructions, policies, and formal authority. It’s about leadership that goes beyond titles, positions, or office boundaries — the kind that shows up in conversations, conflicts, uncertainties, team dynamics, and the everyday challenges that genuinely shape people. The second part, “My Lessons From the Real World of Leadership,” signals that this book is not theory or textbook guidance. It’s drawn directly from lived experiences — successes, failures, missteps, difficult decisions, and moments of clarity gathered over years of working with superiors, peers, and teams. Together, the title conveys that leadership is not a desk job; it’s a human job — shaped by reality, not just role. And the book shares the lessons that only real-world leadership can teach.

Q: What Did You Learn When Writing The Book?

A: The biggest lesson I learned while writing this book was the importance of staying grounded — emotionally and intellectually. When I first began revisiting my experiences, it was very easy to slip into frustration or ask myself why certain ideas of mine were never implemented, or how things “could have gone better” if my approach had been taken. That emotional bias can creep in very subtly. But writing forced me to pause, detach, and examine situations more objectively. I had to acknowledge that leadership isn’t just about my view of what should have happened. There were other perspectives, other constraints, other priorities that shaped each decision and outcome. So instead of using the book as a space to vent or justify my approach, I focused on presenting the actual situations, the facts as they occurred, and then my reflections on how things might have been different — not necessarily better, but different. That process taught me humility. It reminded me that leadership is rarely black-and-white, and that the true value lies in understanding multiple angles, not just defending your own. Writing the book strengthened my ability to reflect without resentment and to share learnings without judgment.

Q: How long Does It Take You To Write A Book?

A: Let me see, the book itself I had to compile over a period of 2-3 months, but the data I have been gathering since over a year now.

Q: Do You Have Any Suggestions To Help Others To Become A Better Writer? If So, What Are They?

A: I’m not sure I’m the best person to give writing advice, but I can share what I genuinely believe: if you have experiences worth sharing, don’t hold them back. You don’t need to be a “perfect writer” — you just need to be honest. And sometimes the best way to give shape to your thoughts, reflections, and lessons is through a book. Write the way you think. Write the way you speak. And most importantly, write because your experiences might help someone who is walking a similar path.

Q: What, In Your Opinion, Are The Most Important Elements Of Good Writing?

A: For me, the most important element is honesty. You have to be willing to look at your experiences the way you look at yourself in a mirror — without filters, without pretence, almost “bare.” When you write from that level of truthfulness, the words become relatable, and the message becomes real. Good writing isn’t about perfection; it’s about authenticity.

Q: What Does Success Mean To You? What Is The Definition Of Success?

A: For me, success is the acknowledgement of my existence — not in a grand or dramatic way, but in the sense that my presence has made a difference somewhere. If my work, my actions, or my words have left even a small impact on the people around me, then that, to me, is success. It’s knowing that I didn’t just pass through life unnoticed — I contributed, I mattered, and something is better because I was here.

Q: How Important Is Research To You When Writing A Book?

A: Very important. Even though the book is based on my personal experiences, I believe a strong base of reference is essential. Research gives context, credibility, and depth. It allows you to build your ideas on something solid rather than just instinct. In my world, a good reference foundation strengthens the story you’re trying to tell.

Q: Do You Believe A Book Cover Plays An Important Role In The Selling Process?

A: Absolutely. Jo dikhta hai, wahi bikta hai. The cover is your first introduction to the world — your handshake with the reader. It sets the tone, creates curiosity, and communicates the essence of the book before a single word is read. So yes, a good cover is extremely important.

Q: When Did You Write Your First Book And How Old Were You?

A: This is my first book. I started writing it only after discovering that leadership gives you plenty of material… some of it painful, but all of it useful. I am 49 now.

This book is published by OrangeBooks Publication. All rights are reserved with the author & the publisher.