The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

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

In this episode of Intentional Product Manager, we’re joined by Shahid Hussain, Group Product Manager at Google, to discuss one of the most crucial aspects of product management interviews—knowing when to demonstrate complexity and when to stick to the basics.Shahid shares valuable insights on how to navigate the delicate balance between showcasing your ability to handle complex problems and staying grounded in the core principles of product management.🔑 Key Takeaways:When complexity is necessary to show your problem-solving skillsThe importance of mastering the fundamentals and demonstrating them in interviewsReal-world examples of how to apply this balance in your day-to-day PM role00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 Meet Shahid Hussain from Google00:26 Shahid's Career Journey01:43 Early Days at Wikia02:34 Joining Google and Chrome OS03:37 Transitioning to Product Management04:21 Day-to-Day as a Google PM07:34 Key Skills for Senior PMs11:56 Interviewing Advice 14:30 Building Relationships and Succeeding15:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLearn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on LinkedIn.Connect with Shahid Hussain on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager in a compelling conversation with Bruno, a seasoned PM generalist, as he unveils the strategies and insights that helped him secure a senior product management role at Google. Through his unique career journey, Bruno offers invaluable advice for preparing for FAANG interviews, navigating Google’s PM levels, and thriving in one of the world’s most competitive companies.Discover what it takes to lead impactful projects, foster product growth, and deliver measurable business results while understanding Google’s expectations for product managers at every level.00:00 – Introduction00:15 – Guest Introduction: Bruno’s inspiring career journey.01:03 – Understanding Google PM Levels: A deep dive into the distinctions between levels and the expectations for delivering at each.02:40 – How Google Defines Progress: Insights into Google's performance metrics and growth framework.03:31 – Bruno’s Path to L6: Exploring the balance between being a generalist and a specialist.05:08 – Building a Team at Google: The nuances of leadership in a fast-paced environment.06:28 – Core Responsibilities and Deliverables: Navigating group dynamics, ensuring visibility, and driving outcomes.07:34 – Advice for Aspiring Google PMs: What Google values, scaling the business, and mastering your business ecosystem.09:03 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts.Listen now to level up and gain actionable insights and take your first steps toward landing a coveted role at Google. For help with your interviews fine out more at Intentional Product Manager.com. Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn and at Intentional Product Manager. Connect with Bruno on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this engaging discussion, Sachin Kotwani, Head of Product at Google, shares his inspiring journey from Spain to a top role in tech. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and skill development in securing elite positions. The conversation also covers transitioning into product management, essential strategies to stand out as a Group Product Manager, and the evolving challenges faced at different seniority levels. Sachin offers valuable insights into embracing diversity and authenticity, underscoring how varied experiences can enhance product development.

Jason Knight, a seasoned product management consultant and host of the One Knight in Product podcast, shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship. He delves into the nuances of fractional product management, discussing when companies should seek fractional leaders and how to maximize their impact. Jason also explores AI's transformative role in product management, highlighting the importance of balancing AI tools with human insight. Practical advice on building a successful career and effectively navigating product management challenges is also featured.

Nikhil Maddirala, an AI Product Manager at Meta and former Adobe employee, shares his journey from management consultant to AI innovator. He discusses the transformative potential of AI across industries and offers valuable insights for aspiring product managers. Nikhil outlines strategic advice for transitioning into AI product management, emphasizing the importance of practical skills. He highlights tools that enhance productivity and the significance of embracing AI technologies for career growth, along with his podcast, 'The Art and Science of AI,' as a resource.