Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

Keeping Product Teams Aligned, Advice for Product Leaders in Remote Teams | Eli Goodman

Oct 3, 2024

Eli Goodman, a seasoned product manager and Head of Product at Tuple, discusses the unique challenges of leading remote teams. He emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in user reality and testing assumptions for product success. Eli shares valuable tips on effective pairing for accountability and goal alignment. He also highlights the Sailboat Retrospective format, which promotes open communication and visualizes team progress. Tune in for essential habits that help product managers thrive in a distributed work environment!

14:20

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Episode guests

Eli Goodman

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Eli Goodman highlights how reflective journaling and effective pairing with colleagues are pivotal for product managers to stay aligned with user needs in remote teams.

The Sailboat Retrospective format is emphasized as a vital tool for promoting open communication and continuous improvement among distributed product teams.

Deep dives

Innovation in Product Development

The importance of creativity and innovation in product development is emphasized, particularly through the example of Bell Labs. This organization demonstrated that groundbreaking innovations require an environment that fosters creativity by allowing individuals the time and space to explore new ideas. By adopting a similar approach at Tupole, team members are encouraged to engage in 'side quests' where they can creatively solve real customer problems, often leading to unexpected and impactful solutions. Such practices not only nurture innovation but also ensure that the final product aligns closely with user needs.

Intro

2min

The Creative Spirit of Innovation: Lessons from Bell Labs

3min

The Intersection of Creativity and Innovation in Product Development

4min

Defining Success: Staying Grounded in User Reality

2min

Addressing Biases in Product Management Through Reflection and Collaboration

3min

Eli Goodman: Keeping Product Teams Aligned, Advice for Product Leaders in Remote Teams

NOTE: We want to thank the folks at Tuple.app for being so generous with their stories, and supporting the podcast. Visit tuple.app/scrum and share them if you find the app useful! Remember, sharing is caring!

Eli reflects on the unique challenges of being a product manager for a distributed team. He emphasizes the importance of staying in touch with reality, testing assumptions, and journaling as key habits for success. He also shares tips on how to pair effectively with colleagues to maintain accountability and stay aligned with the team’s goals. Listen in to find out what are some of the key habits that can help product managers thrive in remote environments.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The Sailboat Retrospective

In this episode, Eli Goodman, Head of Product at Tuple, shares his favorite retrospective format: the Sailboat Retrospective. Eli explains why this format helps teams visualize their progress and challenges while promoting open communication. He highlights the importance of retrospectives in creating alignment and continuous improvement within distributed teams.

About Eli Goodman

Eli Goodman has been working on software teams for 17 years. He’s been a full-stack developer and engineering manager at both large and small companies, including Etsy and Headspace. A few years ago, Eli transitioned to product management and is now the Head of Product at Tuple, a remote pair programming service used by companies such as Figma, Shopify, and many others in the software industry.

You can link with Eli Goodman on LinkedIn, or email Eli at Eli@Tuple.app.

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