Tigers, Caves, and Bets - a Product Strategy Conversation with Coach Andrew Skotzko

In this insightful episode of the Product Rising Podcast, host Cassie welcomes Andrew Skotzko – a product leadership coach and strategic advisor. Andrew shares his unconventional journey into product management, starting from growth hacking and transitioning into engineering, before finally becoming a product leadership coach. He emphasizes the critical difference between strategy and planning, introducing the concept of a strategy as a series of bets rather than a rigid plan. Andrew discusses the importance of ongoing strategy development and the avoidance of the 'strategy cave' mentality, preparing listeners for the challenges of strategic planning and product leadership. Throughout the episode, Andrew provides practical advice for product leaders on when and how to hire a coach, the creative and iterative nature of strategy, and how to effectively align product strategy with business goals. His comprehensive approach offers valuable insights for product leaders aiming to elevate their strategic game and navigate the complexities of product development.

00:00 Welcome to the Product Rising Podcast

00:48 Meet Andrew Skotzko: From Growth Hacking to Product Leadership

03:14 The Journey to Becoming a Product Leadership Coach

04:41 The Value of Customized Coaching

06:43 A Success Story: Coaching a CPO in the Energy Sector

10:22 The Challenges and Rewards of Strategy Development

17:15 When to Hire a Product Leadership Coach

23:10 Funding and Frameworks for Coaching

26:09 Writing a Book on Product Strategy

28:50 The Illusion of Control in Business Strategy

31:15 The Concept of Bets in Strategy

32:23 Differentiating Product and Business Strategy

36:30 The Importance of Continuous Strategy Development

38:32 Navigating Strategic Planning and Execution

41:59 Collaborative Strategy Formation

48:06 Avoiding the Strategy Cave Trap

52:35 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

📚Resources:

• Andrew’s Strategy Self Diagnostic Tool

• Andrew’s Product Strategy Book Interest Form

• Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Silicon Valley Product Group) by Marty Cagan

• Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Michard Rumelt

• Understanding Michael Porter: The Essential Guide to Competition and Strategy by Joan Magretta

• Playing to Win by Roger Martin

  
  

✨Where to find Andrew:

• On LinkedIn

• Andrew’s Leadership Nudges Substack

• Andrew’s Make Things that Matter Podcast

💫 Where to find Cassie:

• On LinkedIn 

• At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership

🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:

• On LinkedIn 

• Website https://womenpm.org/

• Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/