Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

What differentiates the highest-performing product teams | John Cutler (Amplitude, The Beautiful Mess)

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Jan 15, 2023

In this conversation with John Cutler, a product expert and writer of the newsletter 'The Beautiful Mess,' you'll discover what makes top-performing product teams unique. He shares vital insights from his time at Amplitude, discussing the importance of alignment between company strategy and team structure. John emphasizes the need for self-awareness, adaptability, and trust in high-performing environments. He also reflects on his journey to Toast, highlighting the complexities of product management and the significance of cultural dynamics in diverse teams.

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ANECDOTE

Cutler's Unique Role at Amplitude

John Cutler's role at Amplitude involved working with many product teams.
He provided expertise, coaching, and workshops, advocating for better product practices.

INSIGHT

Reverse Anna Karenina Principle

Dysfunctional product teams share similar issues, while high-performing teams succeed in diverse ways.
Easily identifiable anti-patterns exist, but high-level principles can be achieved differently.

INSIGHT

Decision-Making in High-Performing Teams

High-performing teams consistently make better decisions faster.
Various approaches exist, including rigorous processes, ad-hoc collaboration, or top-down directives.

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