Hard Calls with Trisha Price The Three Types of Hard Calls Every Product Leader Faces
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Jan 6, 2026 
Jodi McDermott, a seasoned product leader, emphasizes tough choices in team dynamics, prioritizing culture over high performance. Naomi Larivière, overseeing AI programs, shares the importance of stopping initiatives to maintain client trust. Peter Bailey recounts halting a crucial payments project due to poor data vendor choices. The guests dissect three hard call types: people, stop, and go decisions, each pivotal for effective product leadership and organizational growth. These stories highlight the necessity of tough calls in shaping successful teams and strategies.
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High Performer Who Destroys Culture
- Jodi McDermott described firing a high performer who repeatedly undermined culture despite strong output.
- She emphasized watching for continuous behavior that pulls down the whole team and acting to protect the team.
Letting A Well-Liked Teammate Go
- Jessica Soroky recounted parting ways with a well-liked team member who wasn't the elite performer needed for growth.
- Replacing that person opened space for someone who delivered game-changing results for the team.
Scaling Beyond The Founding Team
- Pierre Naudé explained founders and early hires often lack the judgment needed to run a scaled, public company.
- He advised moving those people to new roles and hiring leaders who can manage at scale.