The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

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.

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