Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Ayo Omojola, Chief Product Officer at Carbon Health and former PM leader at Cash App, shares his insights on product innovation and team dynamics. He reveals how Cash App carved its niche in a crowded market and argues that small teams often outperform larger ones. Ayo emphasizes the value of first-principles thinking and the importance of building connections in your network. He offers practical advice for health tech founders, focusing on strategic hiring and creating products that genuinely meet consumer needs.

In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Becker, the founder of Thrive Digital, shares his expertise in DTC and performance marketing. He reveals the signs that indicate a company is ripe for paid growth and strategies to optimize advertising creatives effectively. The conversation dives into the merits of various marketing channels like TikTok, the complexities of attribution in a rapidly changing landscape, and shares the fascinating story of how he secured Uber as a client, showcasing the need for innovation in marketing.

David Singleton, CTO of Stripe, shares his extensive experience leading engineering teams. He reveals Stripe's unique hiring practices that foster a culture of collaboration and product focus. Singleton discusses the innovative 'friction logging' practice for enhancing user experience and details how AI is revolutionizing engineering workflows. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and strategic planning at scale, particularly how user feedback shapes product development. Singleton's insights provide a glimpse into building a high-performing tech organization.

Carilu Dietrich, a former CMO with a track record at Atlassian and Miro, shares her insights on achieving hypergrowth. She discusses the critical strategies leading successful B2B companies, including the importance of effective leadership and the CEO-CMO dynamic. Carilu offers valuable advice on navigating career growth, selecting the right company, and the habits essential for C-suite success. She also emphasizes the power of community and thought leadership in driving organic growth, alongside innovative approaches to product development.

Elena Verna, a growth expert with over 15 years in tech, discusses the nuances of product-led sales (PLS) versus product-led growth (PLG). She highlights key metrics for recognizing qualified accounts and the essential tools for implementing PLS. Elena delves into strategies for integrating sales with user engagement, emphasizing the importance of understanding buyer demand. Additionally, she shares common pitfalls in PLS and how startups can avoid them, all while ensuring a collaborative approach to drive growth and user satisfaction.

Varun Parmar, the Chief Product Officer of Miro, shares his vast experience from tech giants like Box and Adobe. He dives into Miro's unique and empathetic product culture, emphasizing the need for collaboration and breaking down silos. Varun outlines the innovative 'AMPED' structure for cross-functional teams and explains how to navigate competition while moving quickly. He also highlights strategies behind acquiring Miro's first users and fostering an environment of trust that drives product quality through effective communication and collaboration.

Ada Chen Rekhi, an executive coach and co-founder of Notejoy with a rich background in marketing from LinkedIn and SurveyMonkey, shares valuable insights. She introduces the 'curiosity loop' for informed decision-making and emphasizes aligning personal values with career choices. Ada discusses her 'explore and exploit' framework for maximizing job opportunities and offers tips for women in Silicon Valley. She also highlights the transformative role of executive coaching and the importance of constructive feedback in professional growth.

Laura Modi, CEO and co-founder of Bobbie, shares her unique journey as a leader in the infant formula industry. She reveals pivotal lessons from her time at Airbnb, emphasizing the importance of culture and personal connections. Modi discusses prioritizing existing customers during the formula shortage and the balance between rapid growth and sustainable practices. She highlights the creativity that comes from naivete, innovative hiring strategies, and the vital role of branding in building a successful direct-to-consumer business.

Shweta Shrivastava, Senior Product Leader at Waymo, shares her insights from 15+ years in tech, including stints at Amazon and Cisco. She dives into how Waymo builds trust with riders through effective communication and user comfort. Shweta contrasts product management in autonomous driving with traditional software, discussing the unique challenges of safety and performance metrics. She emphasizes the importance of disruptiveness in large companies and shares underrated skills like listening and empathy for product managers.

Nikita Miller, SVP of Product Management at The Knot Worldwide and former product leader at Trello, discusses her passion for scaling product teams in high-growth environments. She shares insights on adapting Trello for enterprise needs and highlights the evolving landscape of product management. The conversation dives into effective remote team management, driving urgency in work processes, and the challenges of cross-cultural collaboration. Nikita underscores the importance of clear roles, communication, and balancing personal and professional goals for product success.