Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

Andy Raskin, a narrative expert known for his work with clients like Gong and Salesforce, shares his insights on crafting powerful strategic narratives. He explains how these narratives can unify teams and resonate with customers, using Salesforce as a case study. Raskin introduces a five-step framework for creating engaging stories and emphasizes the importance of leadership in aligning narratives with company vision. He also discusses the shift in corporate training narratives and the emotional challenges teams face during this creative process.

Gustav Söderström, the Co-President and Chief Product Officer at Spotify, shares insights from his impressive career, including building innovative products and navigating challenges. He discusses Spotify's structural evolution for product development and how AI is transforming the music landscape. Gustav highlights the delicate balance between user feedback and innovation during the redesign of Spotify's feed. He also explores the impact of AI-generated music on artists and muses about the future of podcasting at Spotify.

Scott Belsky, Adobe's Chief Strategy Officer and founder of Behance, shares invaluable insights into product development and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of enhancing product sense and the need to invest in onboarding to optimize user experience. Scott discusses the evolving role of product managers in an AI-driven world, advocating for curiosity and experimentation with new technologies. He also delves into the 'messy middle' of entrepreneurship, highlighting resilience and adaptability as key traits for successful founders navigating challenges.

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.