Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Ken Norton, an executive coach and former Google Product Manager, shares invaluable insights on unlocking product leadership skills. He emphasizes the shift in mindset required to foster creativity and effectively navigate challenges in leadership. The discussion touches on the cultural significance of donuts in fostering team connection, the transformative power of coaching versus mentorship, and the importance of addressing imposter syndrome. Ken also recommends key resources for emerging leaders to explore their values and enhance their skills.

Casey Winters, Chief Product Officer at Eventbrite and former executive at Grubhub and Pinterest, shares invaluable insights on advancing in product management. He discusses mastering the art of selling ideas to both colleagues and customers. Casey highlights the importance of effective communication and thorough preparation for meetings. He also delves into navigating product-market fit, embracing data-driven growth strategies, and aligning leadership to protect business growth. His journey illustrates adaptability and strategic thinking in dynamic environments.

Nickey Skarstad, Director of Product Management at Duolingo, has a wealth of experience from Airbnb, Etsy, and Shopify. In this conversation, she shares insights on translating vision into actionable goals and operationalizing product quality. Skarstad discusses the importance of metrics for maintaining standards and how to structure product organizations effectively. She also explores decision-making dynamics, emphasizing second-order thinking, and offers practical brainstorming techniques to enhance collaboration. Plus, tips for thriving in remote work as a PM!

Manik Gupta, former CPO of Uber and Director of Product at Google Maps, shares his extensive experience in building successful consumer apps. He discusses the importance of optimism in technology and how personal challenges shape growth. Gupta emphasizes the need for 'company-product fit' and outlines the 'consumer stack' necessary for effective product development. He also reflects on the evolving role of the CPO and shares insights into navigating a career in product management, including the pitfalls to avoid.

Merci Grace, former Head of Growth at Slack and founder at Panobi, shares invaluable insights from her diverse career. She delves into product-led growth strategies and the importance of storytelling for tech leaders. Grace also discusses common pitfalls in user onboarding and effective hiring practices for building diverse teams. She highlights the need to identify company connectors and shares lessons on optimizing Slack’s onboarding flow, emphasizing the significance of a seamless user experience in achieving growth.

Sanchan Saxena, VP of Product at Coinbase and former head of product at Airbnb, shares his fascinating journey in tech. He reveals how Airbnb navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, using tactical two-week planning cycles to keep morale high. Sanchan reflects on lessons from leaders like Brian Chesky and Kevin Systrom, emphasizing the balance between trusting your gut and A/B testing. He also discusses essential qualities in product leaders and offers sage advice for early-stage PMs looking to make impactful decisions in the dynamic world of web3.

Teresa Torres, an internationally acclaimed author and coach specializing in continuous product discovery, shares her insights on interviewing customers effectively. She introduces the opportunity solution tree framework, demonstrating its application using Netflix as a case study. Torres emphasizes the importance of continuous discovery and automating customer interviews to gather genuine insights. She offers practical tips for product managers on avoiding common interviewing mistakes and making the case for user research, making complex concepts accessible and actionable.

Brandon Chu, VP of Product at Shopify, shares insights from his career journey, from aspiring astronaut to leading product management at a major e-commerce platform. He discusses the crucial skills that elevate product managers, including the power of writing for professional growth. Brandon also reveals how Shopify adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing resilience and innovation. Plus, he explores the surprises and dynamics of being a platform PM, making for a compelling discussion about the intersection of creativity and strategy in product management.

Elena Verna, a seasoned growth leader with experience at Miro, SurveyMonkey, and Amplitude, dives into the evolving landscape of B2B growth. She discusses the critical shift towards product-led growth and the benefits of adopting a freemium model over trials. Elena shares insights on integrating product-led and sales-led strategies and highlights how companies can adapt their growth tactics as they scale. With her data-driven approach, she emphasizes the importance of hiring for growth internally and the need for effective user engagement to sustain success.

Gibson Biddle, former VP of Product at Netflix and CPO at Chegg, shares his wealth of knowledge about product leadership and strategy. He discusses his DHM model for product strategy and the GEM prioritization framework, revealing insights on optimizing for success. Gibson dives into his Netflix case studies, balancing customer delight with business needs, and offers advice on building a personal board of directors for career growth. He also highlights daily habits that differentiate good product managers from great ones.