What does it take to build platform products that scale from startup to enterprise?
And in an AI-forward world, how do product managers stay relevant and lead?
In this episode, Bala Venkatrao joins Shobhit Chugh for a powerful conversation on what it really means to build with intention. Bala has scaled product orgs at every stage from founding his own company to leading Atlassian’s cloud platform and now driving innovation at Harness. His approach to leadership, platform strategy, and AI-first product thinking is grounded, tactical, and proven.
Whether you’re growing a new initiative or navigating the executive track, this episode is your blueprint for creating impact that compounds.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What it takes to build scalable platform products
- Why AI-forward platforms are winning and how to lead with data, context, and agents instead of buzzwords
- How to apply the founder mindset in any company, from startup to enterprise
- The CATS Leadership Framework Bala uses to lead with clarity, accountability, and trust
- What separates product managers who stay stuck… from those who step into executive roles
- Tactical advice on using AI as a real tool, not just a label
Highlights
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Guest Introduction: Bala Venkatrao
01:09 Harness: The AI Native SDLC Platform
03:40 Bala's Role at Harness
07:02 Journey at Atlassian
10:24 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Product Management
15:02 The Role of AI in Product Management
18:43 Embracing Change for Continuous Learning
19:22 Practical Tips for Staying Updated
21:43 Leadership Philosophy and Evolution
24:26 The CAT Framework for Effective Leadership
27:33 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
30:59 Final Thoughts and Staying Curious
Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/
Connect with Bala Venkatrao on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvenkatrao/
www.intentionalproductmanager.com
