Why subscribe?

Hi — I’m Chak Kakani.

I’m a computer engineer by training, with over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and coach. I serve on the boards of several companies and continue to guide leaders, teams, and founders across disciplines.

But what truly defines me is curiosity.

A lifelong reader and thinker, I’ve immersed myself in philosophy, history, culture, political science, economics, finance, and systems. That cross-disciplinary lens shapes everything I write.

Welcome to craft

This is where I write about the art and architecture of leadership—the kind that builds trust, scales influence, and creates resilient, high-performing teams.

It’s not about motivational fluff. And it’s not about command-and-control.

It’s about craft—the deliberate shaping of people, culture, systems, and communication.

Topics I explore here include:

• Leadership without ego

• Coaching and mentorship that compound over time

• Strategic communication and influence

• Team building and culture design

• Sales without pitching (inspired by Win Without Pitching)

• Thoughtful marketing and positioning

• Personal development and mental models

• Productivity systems and decision-making frameworks

Whether you’re building a team, coaching others, selling an idea, or growing as a leader—this is your signal.

Let’s hone the craft together.

✍️ AI Writing Policy

I use AI as a research assistant and idea partner, but never as a ghostwriter.

Everything you read here is written by me—shaped through my experience, not generated for engagement.

This publication is about original insight, not manufactured content. My goal is to deliver practical wisdom, not vanity metrics.

AI helps me explore. But what you get here is my voice, my lens, and my lived experience. That’s my promise to you.

P.S. I also write two other publications you may enjoy:

• 👉 chiptechtalk.kakani.co: Where I decode the full AI infrastructure stack—from chips and compute to geopolitics and trade.

• 👉 kakani.co: My thinking on culture, philosophy, history, and timeless ideas for free minds.

Stay up-to-date

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.