Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Kevin Yien, a product leader at Stripe with a colorful background in engineering and design, shares his unconventional insights. He emphasizes that aspiring product managers should gain experience in technical roles first. Kevin also reveals his unique 'unsell email' technique for hiring and advocates for maintaining a decision log. The conversation dives into automating user research to quickly gather insights and reflects on the evolving influence of AI in product management. Plus, Kevin’s personal anecdotes add a delightful twist to his professional journey.

In a fascinating discussion, guest Joe Hudson, an executive coach for leaders from companies like OpenAI and SpaceX, dives into emotional awareness and decision-making. He talks about how understanding our brains can lead to better collaboration, productivity, and creativity. Hudson emphasizes confronting the inner critic to foster personal growth and integrate gratitude practices for team well-being. He also encourages personal experimentation in decision-making, urging listeners to find joy in their work to enhance overall productivity.

Joe Hudson, a leading executive coach and founder of Art of Accomplishment, shares insights on how embracing emotions can fuel career growth. He discusses overcoming the critical inner voice that many tech professionals face and the importance of emotional acceptance. Listeners learn about 'emotional inquiry' for personal growth, how to enhance productivity through joy, and create engaging meeting dynamics. Hudson emphasizes the value of gratitude and personal experimentation in shaping one's emotional landscape, ultimately advocating for authenticity over mere self-improvement.

Brian Tolkin, Head of Product at Opendoor and former key player at Uber, shares insights from his experiences in product management and operations. He discusses the synergy between these teams for effective product development and how to navigate challenges like COVID-19. Tolkin also reveals stories from his time at Uber, including dynamic pricing strategies and the launch of UberPool. He emphasizes the importance of the 'jobs-to-be-done' framework in understanding customer needs and highlights lessons in leadership, decision-making, and collaboration in the tech space.

Timothy Davis, a performance marketing expert with experience at Shopify and other major companies, shares invaluable insights on optimizing paid growth strategies. He discusses when to invest in performance marketing and common pitfalls companies encounter. The conversation dives into building effective marketing teams and enhancing creative performance. Davis also explores the future of performance marketing with AI and the importance of strategic timing and data analysis for successful campaigns. Get ready to elevate your marketing game!

Roger Martin, a leading expert on strategy and author of "Playing to Win," shares his insights on crafting effective business strategies. He discusses the five essential questions that drive a winning strategy and highlights why many companies fail. Martin advocates for integrating strategic thinking across all levels, not just top executives. Using examples from brands like Procter & Gamble and Southwest Airlines, he emphasizes the importance of differentiation over low cost and critiques the shortcomings of traditional strategy education.

Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and author of "Alchemy," joins the conversation to explore the magic behind marketing. He discusses why sometimes bad products succeed while good ones fail and the power of fame in brand building. Sutherland emphasizes that less functionality can be more valuable and reveals how timing can be crucial for product success. He champions creativity and behavioral insights over metrics-driven approaches, sharing fascinating case studies that highlight the impact of human psychology in marketing.

Jessica Lachs, VP of Analytics and Data Science at DoorDash, has been pivotal in creating a leading data organization. She discusses how to effectively structure analytics teams to drive business impact, arguing for a centralized model. Lachs highlights the importance of collaboration between central and embedded teams, the necessity of clear metrics for decision-making, and fostering a culture of ownership. She also shares insights on integrating AI to enhance productivity and emphasizes the value of empathy in a data-driven culture.

Jeff Weinstein, a product lead at Stripe, shares insights from his wealth of experience in creating user-centric products. He dives into the power of customer obsession in product development and how to effectively choose metrics that drive impact. Jeff discusses the innovative Study Group he initiated to enhance product craft, and the remarkable story behind Stripe Atlas, which simplifies startup creation globally. He emphasizes the balance between data and genuine customer feedback in fostering successful products, highlighting the importance of understanding real user needs.

In this engaging conversation, Mike Maples, Jr., a renowned early-stage investor and co-author of "Pattern Breakers," shares his insights from backing transformative companies like Twitter and Lyft. He outlines the three elements that define breakthrough startup ideas and discusses the importance of thinking differently to avoid the comparison and conformity traps. Mike emphasizes the power of storytelling and the role of 'lighthouse customers' in crafting successful narratives. He also highlights how a little healthy disagreeableness can drive innovation in entrepreneurship.