Russ Laraway

Today’s episode is with Russ Laraway, a seasoned leader who's been at Google, Twitter, Candor Inc, Qualtrics, and is now the Chief People Officer for Goodwater CapitalSince we last had Russ on the show, he’s written a new book, titled: “When They Win, You Win.”On today’s episode, we dive deep into the management frameworks and original research that Russ discusses in his book. He starts by pointing out how broken our process for selecting managers is to begin with, where we often default to just promoting the highest performer on a team, rather than looking for folks who explicitly demonstrate leadership chops. He explains the raw ingredients that point to whether someone’s ready to take on a management role — even if they weren’t the best individual contributor of the bunch. And if you’re looking to hire a manager from outside of the company, he’s got plenty of interview questions to suss out the right hire.Next, we explore the heaps of research that Russ did in writing this book, and how that led to him pulling together a few specific frameworks for managers to lean on. This includes a list of the behaviors of highly-engaging managers — and how you can put these into practice.As Russ discusses in today’s interview, there are countless resources out there on how to be a better manager — often with tons of conflicting advice. Russ distills all of this down to an essential, research-backed guide for the modern manager that cuts through the noise.You can follow Russ on Twitter at @ral1. His book, “When They Win, You Win” comes out on June 7, 2022.You can email us questions directly at review@firstround.com or follow us on Twitter @ twitter.com/firstround and twitter.com/brettberson

Russ Laraway, a leadership expert with 30 years at Google, Twitter, and Qualtrics, delves into the pitfalls of ineffective management. He introduces the 'Big Three' leadership essentials: direction, coaching, and career development. Discover why many leaders struggle with prioritization and why career conversations often come off as insincere. With practical insights and a call to gritty self-reflection, Russ challenges managers to embrace clarity and impact in their leadership approach, paving the way for greater team engagement.

In this engaging talk, Russ Laraway, author of 'When They Win, You Win' and management expert, returns to discuss the transformative potential of career conversations. He critiques traditional models, introducing his 'gravity assist slingshot' method to help employees align with their true ambitions. The group dives into why leaders often shy away from these crucial discussions and how real investment can reshape team dynamics. With tips on fostering trust and fostering a supportive culture, this discussion is a must for any manager aiming to elevate their team's growth.

In this engaging discussion, Russ Laraway, Chief People Officer at Goodwater Capital and author of *When They Win, You Win*, shares his expertise on delivering effective feedback. He emphasizes the importance of having direct conversations and using the Situation-Behavior-Impact model to organize feedback. Russ challenges the tendency to overprepare, advocating for authenticity and inviting dialogue. Listeners learn practical strategies to enhance communication and foster growth within their teams, highlighting the critical role of truth in leadership.

Former Google and Twitter leader Russ Laraway shares his formula for great management, discussing leadership journey, book When They Win You Win, positive coaching, and CEO admiration. Learn from his experience in managing large teams and building a thriving work environment.