In this edition of The Executive Outlook, we had the joy of talking with Mr. Igor Bakman. He is the Chief Technology and Product Officer at Vivira Health Lab. Igor has worked in the tech world for more than 20 years and has made an impact through his innovative thinking and strong leadership. He has played a key role in building some of the most helpful digital health products, like Vivira’s app for back pain, which is now being used by many patients across the globe. He has also mentored countless young professionals, helping them grow into confident leaders.
Igor is deeply motivated by a desire to improve people’s lives through technology. He believes that when we build products with empathy and lead with care, we can change the world for the better. He is known for leading amazing teams, building smart products, and guiding people with kindness and wisdom.
During a conversation, Igor shared that he started his career many years ago as a software developer. Back then, he focused on writing code and learning how computers work. According to him, those were the building blocks. But as time passed, he understood that leading people takes more than just tech knowledge.
He spread light with his words when he said that being a leader is not just about giving tasks or managing projects. It’s about listening, helping others, and making sure the whole team moves in the same direction. Igor added by sharing that leadership is like a journey. And in this journey, people’s skills like being patient, clear, and supportive are as important as tech skills.
He continued by saying that tech skills can be picked up fast. You can take a course, watch a video, or read a book. But leadership takes longer. He recounted that when you become a senior leader, like a CTO, you must learn how to stay calm during tough times. You also need to solve problems wisely and lift others up when they feel down. According to him, the big secret is to stay kind to yourself and never stop learning.
He further defined leadership as a skill you can learn from. Igor said that you don’t need to fail again and again to grow. Instead, you can go to meetups, join leadership classes, or talk to a coach. He added by sharing that smart learning helps you avoid mistakes and grow faster. “It’s not just about working hard,” he said; “it’s about working smart.”
He added, “Don’t only go to meetings with CTOs. Try to meet people from different fields, like product design or development.” According to him, learning gets better when you hear different ideas. He explained that hearing different points of view helps you become a better thinker and problem-solver.
Igor also shared that leadership means making your team feel special. He said, “People should feel they are part of something big.” Motivation doesn’t happen by force. It happens when people feel that their work matters. He said that when people believe in the leader and feel valued, they do their best. He reminded us that clear and kind words build trust.
Igor recounted that many think leaders are born. But he disagrees. He believes leadership is something you build. You try, you fail, you learn, and you get better. He added by sharing that every mistake teaches you something new. He said the most powerful belief is this: “I can keep growing.”
When asked how he keeps growing, Igor said he talks to new people and learns from every chat. Even a small meetup can give new ideas. According to him, a good leader always learns. Thinking you know everything is a big mistake,” he warned.
He continued by saying that leadership is not a stop point; it’s a path you keep walking on. Igor told us stories where he made errors, learned from them, and moved ahead. His honesty made us connect with his story. He believes that anyone can become a good leader if they have the right attitude: listen, learn, and care about others.
In our talk, Igor also shared about the product he leads, Vivira’s digital health app. It helps people with back pain. Doctors can give this app to patients, and the app shows them the right exercises. It works like a “pocket physiotherapist.” He recounted meeting a person who used the app and said thank you. That moment made him feel proud. “Helping real people,” he said, “is what makes it all worth it.”
When asked about AI (artificial intelligence), Igor said they want to use it more in their app. But right now, some rules stop them. He added by sharing that AI is very useful for the future. It can help different health systems talk to each other, which is called interoperability. He believes that AI will make healthcare smoother and better for everyone.
He further described how they use data to make the app better. They look at how people use the app and learn what works and what doesn’t. Igor said they track important numbers, called KPIs. If they see a problem, they fix it fast. According to him, this way of using data helps the app grow and get stronger.
Igor also gave an example: Imagine a user is not completing their daily exercise. The data shows this trend. The team then updates the app to send reminders or make exercises easier. This way, the app keeps getting better and more helpful. He said this feedback loop is one of their best tools to serve people well.
He spread light with his words when he talked about one big challenge: staying focused. New tools and trends pop up all the time. But Igor said you must focus on what really helps your team and users. It’s easy to get distracted, but good leaders stay on track.
He added by sharing that keeping the team motivated during hard times is not easy. He shared that showing gratitude, celebrating small wins, and saying thank you can make a big difference. People feel more connected when their efforts are seen and appreciated. He believes that kindness goes a long way.
He explained that leading at a senior level also means managing stress wisely. He said deep breathing, taking short breaks, and even going for a walk can help clear the mind. He shared that being healthy in the mind and body makes you a better leader.
As our conversation came to an end, Igor thanked “The Executive Outlook”. He was happy to share his journey. He reminded us That Leadership grows slowly, by listening, learning, and helping others shine.
Igor Bakman’s story shows how someone can grow from a tech person into a kind, smart leader. He teaches us that great leaders keep learning and never give up. If you want to build something that matters, Igor’s story says, start by caring for people and being open to learning.
Click here for more heart-touching stories from amazing tech leaders. And maybe your story could be the next one in The Executive Outlook.
Editor Bio
I’m Isha Taneja, serving as the Editor-in-Chief at "The Executive Outlook." Here, I interview industry leaders to share their personal opinions and provide valuable insights to the industry. Additionally, I am the CEO of Complere Infosystem, where I work with data to help businesses make smart decisions. Based in India, I leverage the latest technology to transform complex data into simple and actionable insights, ensuring companies utilize their data effectively.
In my free time, I enjoy writing blog posts to share my knowledge, aiming to make complex topics easy to understand for everyone.
