44: The Mindful Executive (ft. Christina Goldschmidt)
Mar 25, 2024
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Christina Goldschmidt shares her insights on leadership and vulnerability in her new role as VP of product design at Warner Music Group. The podcast explores challenges in navigating new leadership, transforming legacy systems, and fostering safety and stakeholder management. Discussions also touch on embracing a political approach in stakeholder management and strategies for managing growth within scaled organizations.
Profile stakeholders like users for effective leadership.
Embrace personal vulnerability to foster psychological safety and open communication in the workplace.
Deep dives
Christina Goldschmidt's Transition to VP of Product Design at Warner Music Group
Christina Goldschmidt reflects on her first 60 days as the VP of product design at Warner Music Group. She emphasizes the importance of profiling stakeholders as users and embracing personal vulnerability to lead effectively. Despite a swift hiring process, Goldschmidt's role involves introducing new elements like design systems and enhancing the design team with a focus on user research and content design.
Navigating Reporting Structure at Warner Music Group
At Warner Music Group, Goldschmidt reports to the president of technology. This differs from her previous role at Etsy, where she reported to the chief product officer in a technology company setup. Her current peers include individuals from engineering, product management, and product solutions, highlighting the unique organizational structure of the music company.
Engagement Strategies in a Rapidly Changing Organization
Amidst a quick hiring cycle and a dynamic environment at Warner Music Group, Goldschmidt discusses engaging with the organization by facilitating team meetings, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the team builds a culture focused on open critiques and effective teamwork. By leading a design sprint and encouraging team bonding, she aims to navigate change and set a positive tone.
Promoting Psychological Safety and Vulnerability in Leadership
Goldschmidt emphasizes the importance of psychological safety within the team and organization, encouraging open communication and vulnerability to foster a positive work environment. By sharing personal experiences, including mental health discussions, she aims to destigmatize these topics and create a supportive culture. Through frameworks and practices, she facilitates stakeholder management and leadership development, promoting empathy and understanding among team members.
Christina Goldschmidt joins Peter and Jesse to reflect on her first 60 days on the job as the newly appointed VP of product design for the music industry giant Warner Music Group. She offers thoughts on getting up to speed and finding early success as an incoming leader, profiling your stakeholders as if they were users, the leadership power of personal vulnerability.
(Recorded November 2023, published March 2024)
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