Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Phyl Terry, author of "Never Search Alone" and CEO of Collaborative Gain, shares invaluable insights for job seekers. He emphasizes the importance of not navigating the job market alone and introduces job search councils as supportive communities. Phyl discusses determining your candidate-market fit, conducting a listening tour, and practical negotiation tactics to stand out. He highlights the power of collaboration and peer support in enhancing career growth, encouraging listeners to embrace vulnerability and seek help during their journey.

Tomer Cohen, Chief Product Officer at LinkedIn, discusses the platform's exciting evolution into an AI-first space. He shares insights on transforming LinkedIn's feed into a dynamic content hub and his impactful mantra, "We might be wrong, but we're not confused." Tomer emphasizes the importance of conviction in product leadership and the value of clarity in team dynamics. He also explores strategies for embracing AI in product development, the significance of personal strengths, and how passion drives impactful innovation. Tune in for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn!

Sean Ellis, a pioneering growth expert who coined 'growth hacking,' shares invaluable insights on measuring product-market fit with his renowned Sean Ellis Test. He discusses strategies for improving user activation and retention rates, and selecting North Star metrics that reflect genuine customer value. Listeners gain wisdom from his experiences at Dropbox and beyond, understand how user feedback drives product success, and explore the evolving landscape of growth strategies in the age of AI.

Vlad Loktev, a former GM at Airbnb and now a Partner at Index Ventures, shares insights from his decade-long journey in product management. He discusses why chaos can spark innovation, emphasizing the need for inquiry over advocacy. Vlad highlights the importance of prioritizing impactful work, strategic leadership, and the balance of speed and quality in product releases. His reflections on Brian Chesky’s leadership style and the significance of fostering a supportive company culture provide valuable lessons for founders navigating growth and change.

Nikita Bier, co-founder of TBH and Gas, shares his expertise as a growth strategist for consumer apps. He reveals the secrets behind the explosive growth of TBH and Gas while discussing the allure of targeting teen users. The conversation dives into combating misinformation and the challenges of creating long-lasting social products. Nikita also emphasizes the delicate balance between strategy and luck in app development, along with valuable insights for founders looking to succeed in the competitive tech landscape.

Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry and former VP at Facebook, shares her journey from product management to leadership. She emphasizes the importance of managing your career like a product—focusing on continuous learning and resilience. Liu discusses the challenges introverts face in the workplace, advocating for self-promotion and inclusivity. Listeners will appreciate her insights on creating effective 30-60-90-day plans and overcoming perfectionism, as well as her encouragement to embrace failures as stepping stones to success.

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.