The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

Join Shobhit Chugh from Intentional Product Manager with special guests Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel, co-authors of Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders. This episode offers actionable insights to help you manage stakeholders, build trust, and navigate decision-making cultures. Plus, discover the surprising benefits of "mining for conflict."Key Takeaways00:00 Meet the authors: Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel00:44 The Story Behind the Book: How Aligned was born01:08 Challenges in stakeholder management: When to say “yes” and “no”03:28 Building rapport: Why understanding stakeholders is as crucial as understanding customers05:04 The importance of organizational fit: Identifying hidden roadblocks to career growth08:15 Communicating effectively: Strengthening relationships between product and sales11:00 Positioning yourself for promotions and identifying influential "power players"13:13 Learning from others: Gaining diverse perspectives to craft well-rounded strategies15:00 Building comfortable, meaningful relationships15:58 Practicing empathy: Reflecting stakeholder language for clarity and connection17:00 Turning difficult relationships around: Finding common ground and bridging divides19:45 Earning a seat at the executive table: Building and maintaining executive relationships21:00 Mastering “the meeting before the meeting”: Setting up for success22:48 Decision-making cultures: Identifying decision-makers and distinguishing alignment vs. agreement26:30 Mining for conflict: Using strategic disagreement to foster psychological safety and alignment33:37 Trends in product leadership: Balancing empathy with founder-driven dynamics35:12 Hiring insights: Attracting top talent in competitive markets37:13 Where to find more about the book and authors38:22 Closing thoughtsDiscover how to deepen relationships, boost your organizational impact, and drive success for your product and company.Learn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Learn more about Bruce McCarthy at Product Culture or connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemccarthy/ Learn more about Melissa Appel at Product Culture or connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/melappel/Get Bruce and Melissa’s book “Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders”www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Curious about what it’s like to work at Google and manage teams that impact millions?In this episode, host Shobhit Chugh sits down with Kanad Das, who shares his incredible journey from Microsoft to Google. Kanad provides an insider’s perspective on leading teams and driving impact at one of the most powerful tech companies in the world.What We Cover in This Episode:Navigating Complex Organizations: How to master strategies for thriving and making an impact in large, multifaceted companies.Interviewing at Top Tech Firms: Insights into the importance of behavioral interview preparation and how to stand out among tough competition.Staying Ahead in AI: Must-know resources and tips to keep your skills current and future-ready.Crafting Your Narrative: The art of creating a personal story that demonstrates depth, trust, and certainty, setting you apart as the ideal candidate.Why You Should Listen: If your career vision includes working at a tech giant or enhancing your product management skills, this episode is packed with practical insights and actionable advice from someone who’s been there and succeeded. Kanad’s strategies can help you turn interviews into job offers and chart a course for long-term career success.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 Guest Introduction: Kanad Das00:35 Kanad's Career Journey01:19 Transition to Google03:13 Role and Responsibilities at Google05:44 Challenges and Learnings10:44 Building and Leading Teams16:42 Technical Skills and AI22:29 Interview Tips for Google27:13 Conclusion and Contact InformationLearn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Learn more about Kanad Das at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanaddas/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh and special guest Aakash Gupta for a transformative conversation on maximizing productivity and strengthening relationships. This event will provide you with actionable insights on:  AI’s Impact on Product Management Careers: Discover how AI can help you save time and streamline your workflow.Outsourcing with Confidence: Learn the art of delegation and find out how to identify reliable partners who deliver results.Top Product Leaders’ Salaries: Get a sneak peek of what the best in the field are earning.Positioning for AI Roles: Unlock strategies to build relevant experience and stand out in the competitive AI landscape.Leveraged Networking: Master techniques to build connections that drive financial growth.Hidden Roles: Explore why the highest-paying product positions are often off the radar—and how to find them.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:26 Aakash's Early Career and First Product Management Role06:35 Transition to Growth Management and Core Product Leadership11:42 Balancing Player-Coach Roles and Delegation Strategies17:23 The Journey to Becoming a Content Creator21:11 Monetizing Content and Expanding Influence25:35 Writing Process and Content Strategy27:28 Collaborative Efforts in Job Search27:49 AI's Role in Content Creation29:18 Insights from Product Leadership Job Search33:48 The Importance of Recruiter Relationships38:31 AI in Product Management40:54 Leveraging AI for Efficiency and Innovation41:52 Pathways to AI Product Management Roles47:25 Conclusion and Further ResourcesThis discussion will equip you with tools to save time, create valuable opportunities, and achieve long-term financial rewards.Learn more about Shobhit Chugh at intentionalproductmanager.com and connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Explore Aakash Gupta’s work at aakashg.com and connect with him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/aagupta/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh and special guest Will Lowrey as they reveal powerful strategies to stand out in your product management career by mastering your narrative and cultivating a positive team culture. Together, they unpack essential skills to set yourself apart, including:The Power of Storytelling: Learn how to communicate so that people listen and remember.Overcoming Self-Doubt in Job Searches: Discover how projecting confidence can increase your chances of landing the role you want.Navigating Job Searches in Startups vs. Big Companies: Get tailored strategies for building relevant experience and standing out in today's competitive tech landscape.Building Team Culture: Understand how to foster an environment that brings out the best in everyone.Focusing on Business Outcomes: Acquire techniques for creating connections that drive impactful, revenue-generating results.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:17 Meet Will Lowrey: Career Journey01:03 Path to Product Management02:19 Pre-Product Management Background06:00 Significant Career Moments08:54 Early Lessons in Product Management12:37 Mid-Career Insights: Storytelling16:04 Building Teams and Culture19:56 Becoming a Coach: Motivation and Inspiration23:03 Discovering the Path to Teaching and Coaching23:53 Focusing on Intentional Job Search24:49 Crafting a Compelling Narrative for Interviews26:51 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Job Search29:13 Differences in Job Search: Startups vs. Big Companies32:44 Importance of Business Outcomes in Product Management35:52 The Joy of Coaching Product Managers41:16 Tips for Product Managers in the Job Market44:31 Final Thoughts and How to ConnectThis conversation will equip you with the tools to become a confident communicator, inspiring leader, and strategic thinker—helping you carve a career path that maximizes both income and impact.Connect with Shobhit at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Will Lowrey at https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamlowrey/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh and special guest Ravi Mehta for an in-depth conversation on the most pressing topics shaping the future of product management. Gain insights on:AI’s Impact on Product Management Careers: How advancements in AI will redefine roles and open new opportunities.Building Job Security through Personal Fulfillment: Why prioritizing purpose in your work can be a game-changer for career stability in 2024.Delivering Business Value in 2025: What creating meaningful, measurable impact will look like.Creating Opportunities Beyond Your Experience: The secret strategy that will open doors and fast-track your success.Accelerating Career Growth Beyond the Average Pace: Practical steps to move your career forward at an extraordinary rate.Building a Career Path that Chooses You: How to position yourself as a top candidate for the opportunities you want.Navigating a Non-Linear Career Ladder: Tips for success when career growth doesn’t follow a traditional path.Mastering Product Politics: Why managing internal dynamics is more important than ever! 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:18 Meet Ravi Mehta: Career Highlights01:13 Ravi's Accidental Entry into Product Management02:31 Early Career at Microsoft and Xbox07:54 Transition to TripAdvisor08:28 Key Learnings and Challenges at TripAdvisor14:32 Moving to Meta: Understanding Gen Z18:20 Joining Tinder: Building for the Future22:01 Career Insights and Market Observations24:50 Balancing Builder Skills and Political Aspects in Product Management25:47 The Importance of Hands-On Work for PMs27:24 AI's Impact on Product Management32:18 Navigating Career Paths in an AI-Driven World37:26 Technical Fluency and AI in Product Development44:20 Defining Success and Specialization in Product Management47:56 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThis conversation will equip you with strategies to lead confidently, adapt to the modern product management market, and achieve long-term career fulfillment. Don’t miss this unique chance to learn from two product management experts!Find out more about Shobhit at https://www.intentionalproductmanager.com/Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Find out more about Ravi at https://www.ravi-mehta.com/.Connect with Ravi on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravimehta/www.intentionalproductmanager.com