The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit sits down with Shishir Narula—seasoned product leader and now a highly respected product coach—to explore the mindset traps that hold PMs back in their job search and career growth.Shishir shares the pivotal moments that shaped his transition from big tech to coaching, and dives deep into how mental clarity, self-awareness, and intentional action make all the difference—especially in a tough market.Whether you're burned out from final-round rejections, second-guessing your skills, or wondering what is next, then this is a must listen. Episode Timestamps00:00 – Intro to the Podcast00:26 – Meet Shishir Narula: From Big Tech to Coaching01:06 – Career-Defining Moments and Shifts03:06 – Why Mindset is the Game-Changer in PM Careers05:33 – What Makes a High-Impact PM06:00 – Growth Mindset: What It Really Means14:32 – Navigating Mindset During the Job Search18:50 – Building Confidence That Lasts20:52 – Dealing with Imposter Syndrome in Product21:15 – The Mentor's Dilemma: Why Even Top PMs Get Stuck23:55 – The Traits of Truly Successful Product Managers32:14 – Visualization & Meditation as Career Tools34:08 – Confident Networking (Even if You're Introverted)36:06 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways🎧 Listen now to learn how to take back control of your job search, rebuild your confidence, and approach your career with intention.Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Shishir on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shishir-narula/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Aindra Misra, Director of Product for Data, AI, and Cloud Platforms at Bill, to explore the world of platform product management.They break down what makes platform PM different from traditional PM, the importance of horizontal thinking, and why scalability and cross-functional collaboration are critical to success. Aindra offers valuable insights into AI’s role in enterprise tech, the unique challenges platform PMs face, and what engineers need to know when transitioning into product roles.Packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, this conversation is essential listening for anyone aiming to grow as a product leader.Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction00:22 – What makes platform PM unique01:58 – Building scalable, foundational systems03:43 – Driving collaboration across teams05:05 – Why horizontal thinking matters05:46 – Real-world examples from Aindra’s work at Bill13:23 – Navigating common platform PM challenges17:23 – How AI is reshaping enterprise tech25:16 – Tips for transitioning from engineering to product29:48 – Aindra’s career journey and key advice33:40 – Wrap-up and how to connectShobhit Chugh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Aindra Misra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aindra-misra/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Job searching can feel overwhelming, but what if you could make every step easier? In this episode, Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager sits down with Aniket Vaidya, a product leader at Atlassian and former Group PM at Google, to break down exactly how to streamline your job search. From building genuine connections that lead to opportunities to positioning yourself as the obvious choice in interviews, Aniket shares practical strategies to eliminate friction in the hiring process—just like a great product manager would.Discover how to leverage your network effectively, make recruiters your allies, and gain insider knowledge to tailor your approach. Learn why practicing mock interviews, understanding the hiring manager’s mindset, and following up strategically can significantly boost your chances. If you're looking to land a top PM role or level up your career, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the competitive job market with ease.Key Takeaways:✅ Mastering Networking – How to build genuine connections, make it easy for others to help you, and direct you toward the right opportunities.✅ Cracking the Interview Process – Why deep research, leveraging recruiters, and insider knowledge can be game-changers.✅ The Power of Mock Interviews – How early feedback can transform your preparation and make interviews feel effortless.✅ Understanding Hiring Manager Mindsets – Insights from Aniket’s experience reviewing resumes and selecting top candidates.✅ Post-Interview Best Practices – Why following up, staying connected, and adding value after the interview can give you a competitive edge.Aniket also shares candid stories from his own career, including how a failed mock interview opened his eyes to what it really takes to succeed. His advice goes beyond generic tips—it's a blueprint for standing out in a competitive job market.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:22 Meet Aniket Vaidya: Product Leader at Atlassian01:01 Journey to Group Product Manager at Google01:31 Building Real Identity Infrastructure at Google02:33 Transitioning to Product Management at Google03:05 Navigating the Ladder Transfer Process14:51 Key Projects and Missions at Google18:43 Transition to Head of Product AI at Atlassian19:25 Positioning Yourself for AI Roles26:28 Mindset of Hiring Managers30:13 Interview Advice for Product Managers35:56 Conclusion and How to Connect with AniketFind out more about Intentional Product Manager and connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn.Connect with Aniket on LinkedIn.   www.intentionalproductmanager.com

How Top Executives Land Their Next Big RoleWant to break into executive product leadership or transition into venture capital? This episode is packed with insider strategies from Alex Klein, founder of Nucleus Talent, a leader in executive search and recruiting.Join Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager as he and Alex break down:🔍 The hidden job market for senior executives—why top roles are rarely posted online🚀 How to position yourself for high-impact leadership roles🤝 Executive hiring strategies—what companies really look for in top-tier product leaders📈 How venture capital hiring is evolving—and why product leaders are making the leap into VC🔑 Networking & career acceleration tips to land your next executive roleWhether you're an experienced product leader, a startup founder, or an aspiring VC, this episode will give you the tools to stand out and move up.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction: Product leadership & executive recruiting 00:26 – Meet Alex Klein: His journey from TrueSearch to founding Nucleus Talent 01:04 – The Hidden Job Market: Why top executive roles require a different strategy 04:11 – Common Job Search Mistakes: How to navigate executive search and avoid costly errors 06:57 – Executive Search 101: Key differences at the leadership level 07:56 – Contingency vs. Retained Search: Which is right for you? 09:27 – Alex’s Early Career & Transition to Executive Search: Lessons from building teams and leading practices 16:23 – Insights from TrueSearch: The key differences in executive search across industries 19:12 – Winning Leadership Strategies: How to accelerate your career with the right people and mindset 23:51 – The Evolution of Venture Capital Hiring: The shift toward technical, entrepreneurial leaders 27:55 – Breaking into VC: Ideal candidate profiles, networking, and insider tips 30:11 – How to Leverage Your Network in VC: School connections, prior experience, and social media 31:50 – Choosing the Right First Company: Why working at world-class startups accelerates success 35:01 – Fast-Tracking Your Career Through Startups: How high-growth environments propel leaders 36:38 – Hiring the Best PMs Today: What companies look for in product leaders 38:17 – How to Become a Top Product Leader: The skills that make a difference 39:30 – Staying Relevant in Venture Capital: Learning from investors and industry trends 43:13 – The Role of Scout Programs in VC: How to get exposure to deal-making and advisory networks 48:19 – Final Thoughts & Connecting with Industry Leaders🎧 Tune in to learn how to navigate executive hiring, product leadership, and the venture capital world!Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn and find out more about Intentional Product Manager here. Connect with Alex Klein on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Want to be hired as an AI Product Manager? This might be the most valuable 40 minutes you spend this week!Join Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager as he sits down with Mahesh Yadav, an AI Product Manager at Google with 17+ years of experience in AI, including roles at Amazon and Meta. Mahesh has worked at the forefront of AI innovation, from building intelligent systems at top tech companies to shaping the future of AI. Mahesh also runs an amazing course teaching product managers about how to use AI responsibly. This episode covers:How to position yourself so companies come looking for youThe fundamentals of AI agents and how they power real-world productsA deep dive into what hiring managers are looking for in AI PMsThe biggest challenges in AI product development and how to solve themHow to build responsible AI products while managing risk and complianceThe technical skills that will set you apart as an AI PMHow AI is reshaping product management—and what you must do to stay relevantEpisode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast  00:39 – Meet Mahesh Yadav: AI Specialist at Google – Experience at Google, Amazon, and Meta  03:06 – Mahesh’s career journey in AI: How he navigated roles at top tech companies  06:09 – How to get companies to come looking for you: Staying ahead of AI trends and making yourself the talent they seek  07:40 – AI Agents 101: What they are, how they work, and how they “think”  09:38 – How to get hired as an AI PM: What hiring managers actually look for  14:24 – The roadmap to becoming a top AI PM: Key experiences, interview strategies, and storytelling  19:07 – Understanding evaluations  20:34 – When AI goes wrong: The hilarious (and frustrating) side of AI failures  21:36 – Challenges in shipping AI products: Moving from subjective to objective evaluation  22:30 – The AI Act: What PMs need to know about compliance and accountability  23:12 – Building responsible AI: Avoiding risks, clear communication, and PMs as the last line of defense  26:35 – The accountability checklist: What every AI PM must showcase in interviews  28:32 – How AI is reshaping product management: More technical, more hands-on, more customer trust  31:28 – The must-have technical skills for AI PMs: System diagrams, model recommendations, and prompt engineering  33:29 – What’s possible with AI: Selling your ideas to engineers and staying ahead of the competition  34:52 – Adoption challenges and real-world AI product examples  36:38 – AI’s impact on major tech companies: Why understanding AI is now non-negotiable  39:17 – Conclusion & final takeaways  Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn and find out more about Intentional Product Manager here. Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn and find out more about his course on responsible AI. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Satyajeet Salgar, Director of Product and UX at Google AI, to explore how product managers can align their careers with their passions and leverage AI to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of product management. Satyajeet shares his journey at Google and offers actionable insights on what it takes to be a top performer at the best companies, build high-performing teams, and create product strategies that drive lasting impact.Find out more about Intentional Product Management here. Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn here. Connect with Satyajeet Salgar on LinkedInKey Takeaways:AI in Product Management: Learn how AI is reshaping the role of product managers by making them more specialized and efficient.Mastering Product Intuition: Strong product instincts are essential for success, and trusting your gut when making decisions is key.Google Grit: Persistence and resilience are crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success at scale.Building Effective Strategies: Focus on solving real-world problems and aligning strategies to make a long-lasting impact.Leading High-Performing Teams: Empowering your team, clear communication, and removing obstacles.00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast:  Shobhit introduces the episode and welcomes Satyajeet Salgar.00:20 – Meet Satyajeet Salgar: Product Leader at Google Research: Satyajeet shares his background and experiences leading product teams at Google.01:06 – Succeeding as a Product Leader at Google: Satyajeet discusses the importance of product intuition and pushing through your ideas is needed to succeed at scale.02:34 – The Importance of Grit and Determination: Satyajeet talks about how grit helps product leaders navigate challenges and push for meaningful success.04:35 – Satyajeet’s Journey at Google: A look at Satyajeet’s career trajectory at Google, including his insights on balancing passion with practicality and discovering what excites you in your career.10:07 – Helping Your Team Succeed: Satyajeet shares how to coach team members, remove roadblocks, and create opportunities for success, while emphasizing empathy for both the product and the team.11:47 – Finding Happiness in Your Career as You Move Up the Ladder: Advice for PMs as they advance in their careers, including the importance of clear communication with senior leadership and understanding your role at different stages.12:20 – The Volume of Leadership: The role of product leaders in managing organizational health and motivating teams to work toward shared goals.13:40 – Managing UX and UX Research: How to communicate effectively with UX teams and define what “good” looks like in terms of user experience.16:20 – Avoiding Bad Product Strategy: Discussing the pitfalls of rushing product strategies, the importance of insight, and ensuring alignment between the why and the real problem being solved.19:45 – Winning Strategy Development: Satyajeet offers insights on developing winning strategies, defining success early, and communicating openly with your team.21:33 – Creating High-Performing Teams: The importance of adapting your leadership style to help different team members succeed and optimize for excellence.25:00 – AI and the Future of Product Management: How AI is changing the role of product managers.www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Can being too nice hurt your leadership style? Join Shobhit Chugh from Intentional Product Manager as he sits down with veteran product leader and coach, Phil Hornby, to discuss what it takes to be a great leader. In this insightful conversation, we discover the power of "kindness" in leadership and how to manage tough conversations for growth.We also dive deep into the complexities of product management, covering everything from effective decision-making frameworks to navigating leadership challenges and understanding the future of AI in the industry.Phil shares his personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom, offering actionable advice for both aspiring and seasoned product managers. Whether you’re looking to elevate your leadership skills or adapt to the evolving job market, this episode will provide valuable insights to help you thrive.Learn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on LinkedIn.Learn more about Phil Hornby and connect with him on LinkedIn and find out more about For Product People here. 00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast 00:21 – Meet Phil Hornby: Product Leader and Author 01:07 – Common Roadmap Mistakes: A discussion on the foundation of product work, building consensus around your roadmap, and how visuals can transform roadmap conversations.04:27 – Decision Making in Product Management: Great product managers are great decision makers. Learn how to refine your decision-making approach and how large companies manage critical choices.08:32 – The History of Product Management: Discover how product management evolved and Phil’s journey from product management practitioner to coach.12:46 – Challenges for New Product Leaders: Common struggles faced by product managers stepping into leadership roles, balancing ambition with effective leadership, and how to clear obstacles for your team’s success.14:23 – Being Nice vs. Being Kind: What does it mean to be a great leader? Phil talks about having tough conversations, offering feedback that helps people grow, and when to choose kindness over niceness.16:43 – Characteristics of a Great Product Leader: Key traits of successful product leaders—knowing when to ask the right questions, embracing the unknown, and deciding when to lead or delegate decision-making.19:45 – Coaching Product Leaders: The art of meeting individuals where they are, identifying the growth needs of product managers, and finding strategies for success.24:56 – Counterintuitive Lessons from Coaching: The unexpected outcomes of strategic decisions, aligning teams when things aren’t working, and the importance of effective implementation.26:31 – Changes in Product Careers: A look at how product management roles have shifted, the growing importance of profitability, and the skills needed to articulate your value.29:00 – AI’s Impact on Product Management: Discussing how AI is transforming the relationship between engineers and product managers, the potential for AI to drive value, and its impact on product management’s economic value.31:15 – Advice for Product Managers in Today’s Market: Insights on navigating the uncertainty of today’s job market and the role of politics in decision-making.32:26 – Conclusion and Final Thoughtwww.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this insightful episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit sits down with Lauren Mytton, Group Product Manager at Google Play, to explore impactful strategies for career growth and job search success. Lauren shares her inspiring journey—from studying theoretical physics to transitioning through roles in finance, telecom, and tech before landing in product management at Google.They discuss key lessons learned, including managing the balance between parenthood and professional success, making tough career decisions, empowering teams, and mastering communication to drive influence. Lauren's honest and practical advice offers valuable takeaways for both aspiring and experienced product managers looking to level up their careers.Key Moments & Takeaways00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to the podcast and today’s guest, Lauren Mytton.00:21 – Lauren’s Career Overview: From theoretical physics ambitions to diverse roles in finance, telecom, and tech.01:12 – Finding Product Management: How intellectual curiosity and adaptability guided Lauren to PM roles.06:34 – Joining Google: Insights into Lauren’s transition to product management and the challenges faced.07:40 – Balancing Motherhood & Career: Embracing career success as a role model for children and the importance of pursuing work you love as a parent11:40 – Downleveling to Level Up: Making short-term sacrifices for long-term career goals and trusting your decision-making through uncertainty14:13 – Becoming a Group Product Manager: Managing PM teams and representing domains to stakeholders and crafting narratives and empowering team members17:40 – Letting Small Fires Burn:Learning to prioritize and outsource effectively and focusing on high-value problem-solving18:40 – Upleveling Communication: The power of clear, strategic communication and developing cohesive narratives to drive faster decision-making23:44 – Differences Between Group PM & Senior PM Roles: Communicating at the executive level and creating healthy, impactful organizations25:55 – Working at Google Today: Adapting to a constantly evolving company and finding joy in collaborative innovation30:13 – Final Thoughts: Lauren’s practical advice for PMs navigating career growth and workplace challengesFind out more about Intentional Product Manager here. Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn here. Connect with Lauren Mytton on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join host Shobhit Chugh on The Intentional Product Manager Podcast as he chats with Ram Rajagopalan, a seasoned product leader with 15+ years of expertise in AI and customer experience. Together, they explore the transformative role of generative AI in product management, strategies for building innovative products, and tips for transitioning organizations to AI-driven operations. Ram offers actionable insights on identifying impactful AI use cases, managing data privacy, and using AI tools to futureproof your career. This episode is a must-listen for both aspiring and experienced product managers looking to thrive in the age of AI!Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction to the PodcastGet ready to dive into a conversation about scaling AI in product management.00:22 – Meet Ram Rajagopalan: A Seasoned Product LeaderDiscover Ram’s impressive journey in product leadership and his passion for AI innovation.01:16 – Ram’s Career Journey and ExperienceFrom leading AI-driven initiatives to enhancing customer experiences, learn how Ram built his career at the intersection of technology and customer value.02:37 – Diving into AI in Product ManagementUnderstand why AI is reshaping the role of product managers and how to stay ahead.03:46 – Building AI-Powered Products: Challenges and StrategiesRedefining the role of product management in the AI era.Engaging sales teams in the product journey to tackle complexity.Shaping company culture to embrace AI and deliver business value.05:47 – A Customer-Centric Approach to AI Product DevelopmentIdentifying high-impact use cases.Maximizing customer insights to outpace competitors.Elevating product offerings through feedback and iteration.08:37 – Navigating Stakeholder Approvals and PricingDriving change in the face of resistance.Aligning stakeholders with a holistic perspective.11:53 – Unique Considerations for AI ProductsPartnering for global scalability.Ensuring transparency in data handling.Addressing AI legalities and ethical challenges.16:17 – Balancing Build vs. Partner DecisionsHow to determine when to build in-house or collaborate with external partners.19:16 – Transitioning from B2C to B2B Product ManagementLeveraging strengths from B2C roles.Embracing unlearning to succeed in B2B.Job market shifts and predictions for product management in the AI era.23:44 – Futureproofing Your Product Role in the Age of AIUsing AI tools to streamline product management tasks.Conducting competitive research with AI.Positioning yourself for long-term career growth.28:24 – Closing Thoughts and Contact InformationFinal reflections on scaling AI in product management and how to connect with Ram.Find out more about Intentional Product Management here. Connect with Shobhit Chugh on Linkedin here. Stay in touch with Ram Rajagopalan and explore more of his insights on LinkedIn: Connect here.www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit and guest Saurabh Shrivastava, a seasoned product manager at Snap, as they discuss strategies for standing out in your job search and career. Saurabh shares his journey through different facets of product management, including consumer-facing, enterprise, and AI/ML platforms. Get valuable insights into making career transitions, insider tips for interview preparation, and navigating the evolving job market in AI product management. Don't miss Saurabh’s advice on differentiating yourself and his experiences in leading AI-driven projects at Snap and previous roles at Microsoft and Meta. Listen now to level up! 00:00 Welcome to the podcast!00:22 Meet Saurabh Shrivastava: A quick introduction to our special guest, a seasoned product manager with expertise in AI/ML.00:59 Saurabh's Career Journey: Saurabh shares his inspiring journey from his early career to becoming an AI/ML product management expert.03:12 Transitioning Between Product Management Roles: Insights on making smooth transitions across industries and roles within product management.05:58 Breaking into AI and ML Product Management: Saurabh dives into the challenges and opportunities in AI/ML product management and how to showcase your personal superstrengths to stand out in interviews. 11:23 Advice for Aspiring AI/ML Product Managers: Actionable tips and key strategies for those looking to enter the world of AI/ML product management.18:54 Navigating the Job Market: Explore Saurabh’s perspective on standing out in a competitive job market and finding your niche.20:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts: We wrap up the episode with Saurabh's key takeaways and encouragement for listeners.Learn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on LinkedIn.Connect with Saurabh Shrivastava on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com