Delivering Value: Tough Career Moments - Lessons from Growth, Marketing & Product Leaders

Working in a new company means your day-to-day responsibilities have to be tied to a larger goal. But when you’re fresh out of college in your first role, it’s hard to understand that perspective and how others work towards it. Claire Suellentrop, Co-Founder and COO of Forget the Funnel, knows the struggle.In this episode, Claire talks about how valuable an outside perspective would’ve been to her growth when she was starting out. Listen to learn how you can set up your network to create a foundation for your growth in the industry.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. Understanding how different people approach work will save you from miscommunications and wasted work2. The best people to give you advice are the ones who are only a few steps ahead3. An outside perspective of your problems will help you overcome them quickerThings to listen for:[04:25] How Claire fell backwards into growth[11:39] Learning to catch up to a company’s pace[14:47] The importance of learning from someone a few steps ahead[18:11] Understanding everyone’s working styles[23:46] Overcoming a skillset-company culture mismatch[27:58] Leaning into your strengths[30:23] Why heads of growth turnover so quicklyResources- Connect with Claire on LinkedIn or Forget the Funnel- Forget the Funnel book- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

Most growth roles are difficult to grasp and manage which makes mastering “soft skills” like communication, vital.In this episode, Product Growth Advisor Rosie Hoggmascall shares her experiences around someone taking credit for her work, struggling with being put on the spot, and having the tough conversation about feeling stuck at work. Listen in to hear her tried and true phrases you can employ to avoid freezing in anxiety-triggering conversations at work and to be reminded why soft skills are what hard workers really need.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. Writing your thoughts on paper before a hard conversation at work can help you show up with confidence and clarity2. Communication and managing up are two soft skills you need to hone to be an effective head of growth3. You don’t have to accept all the feedback you receive but pay attention if you’re hearing the same things over and overThings to listen for:[11:35] Why you should always be applying for jobs [12:51] Dealing with disrespectful managers [15:51] Preparing for difficult conversations[19:16] Breaking your self-deprecating internal monologue[22:29] Speaking with your boss after a big mistake[26:55] Phrases to use to avoid freezing [30:15] Sifting through contrasting feedback[32:46] Honing your soft skillsResources:- Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn, Medium, or Growth Mentor- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

Alignment is one of the most important parts of working in growth, whether it's being aligned with your company about your role or how well you connect with the new hire. Hillary Pitts Miller works the intersection of Product and Growth at Whimsical and she came to understand the power of alignment when she realized that her company wasn’t actually ready for a growth team yet.In this episode, Hillary shares her story of setting her ego aside for the sake of the company and her transition from her marketing background into growth (and back again). Listen in for Hillary’s insights and career advice on navigating the maturing but unpredictable growth landscape.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. That you shouldn’t be afraid to address the elephant in the room2. Why it’s important to take time and suss out the company culture fit, whether you’re interviewing candidates or interviewing for jobs3. Some companies might not need a growth role as much as they think they doThings to listen for:[03:45] Hillary’s Growth origin story[09:04] How to overcome a failed hire[14:50] Navigating impostor syndrome [17:07] How being honest builds trust[20:50] Setting your ego aside for the company’s needs[29:23] Advice for struggling job seekers[30:59] How to learn if a company is for youResources:- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

Former growth expert Joseph Fitzgibbon shares his journey in the growth industry and offers tips for recognizing when a role doesn't fit. He advises leaving a job that doesn't feel right, understanding why the previous person was let go, and seeking clear and frequent feedback. Topics include average week at a growth consultancy, path to growth industry, identifying a role mismatch, value of clear feedback, setting expectations with manager, and managing the reality of business.

Daphne Tideman, Freelance Growth Advisor and Consultant at Daphne Tideman Ltd., shares valuable lessons on getting your voice heard, speaking executives' language, finding balance in life, and overcoming pressure in the growth industry. Learn how to resonate with others, get your ideas heard, and focus on what's within your control.

When you take the long-term perspective of your Growth career, it would be shocking if you didn’t get at least one bad performance review. That’s an insight Adam Fishman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at ResortPass and Executive in Residence at Reforge, has come to understand deeply.In this episode, he shares his story of being one of the early employees at Lyft and how he had to learn to manage a Growth team before many people knew what Growth really meant. Listen to hear about overcoming career mistakes, understanding how being yourself and being successful can happen simultaneously, and dealing with the anxiety and pressure of leading large teams when you’re inexperienced.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. The importance of seeking outside mentorship because bosses can’t always be your coaches nor do they have all the answers you need2. Why it’s best to be honest with your employers about what they can expect from you to help you decide as soon as possible whether a role is right for you3. When to use soft skills to gauge whether a responsibility is just enough to grow someone or too much for them to handleThings to listen for:[5:52] The pivotal moment in Adam’s career from a marketer to a Growth leader[11:11] A lesson from being the Head of Growth[13:04] Learning from a bad performance review[18:54] Why you should learn to ask for help[24:59] The anxiety and pressure from high growth companies[17:53] How to be yourself and be successful[32:38] Adam’s experience dealing with high pressure and anxietyResources:Subscribe to Adam’s NewsletterConnect with Adam on LinkedInConnect with Andrew on LinkedIn or TwitterLearn more about NavatticLearn more about MadKudu

Working in a Growth role for the first time is hard, especially since the field is always evolving.In this episode, Liam MacCormack, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at MadKudu, shares his career journey from growth manager to head of growth. Along the way, he talks about why therapy and support systems are crucial for anyone in Growth, the mistakes that have made him a better person, and his path toward becoming a Growth leader.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. The importance of a support system for anyone in growth2. How to deal with burnout and stress in a healthy way3. Mistakes are inevitable; internalize the lessons to continue improvingThings to listen for:[4:26] How Liam landed his first growth job[14:18] A career mistake that’s stuck with Liam [20:48] How to know you’re actually growing[26:49] The peaks and valleys of being in a growth role[37:20] Advice for dealing with burnout and overwhelm[40:45] Pushing through the challenges and adversity that come in growthResources:- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

John Short's life changed when his daughter had a seizure at school. As a parent, John found it challenging to balance work and family, but he wanted to provide extra support for his daughter. In this episode, John shares how that experience made him rethink his priorities and realize the importance of a portfolio view of life. In light of this, he started his own company, Compound Growth Marketing, allowing him to focus on the most valuable use of his time and plan better for his family's future. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of the personal challenges people face so you can lean into empathy and grace.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. How to set aside specific time for family to ensure you are present and focused not distracted by work and other obligations2. Finding mentors who've successfully balanced family and career to gain insights and guidance on how to achieve the same 3. Significant life events can shift priorities and change career trajectories, think through the potential long-term consequences of important decisions and make choices that align with your goals and valuesThings to Listen for:[04:31] How parents struggle with work-life balance[09:27] The stressors of working at an early-stage company[15:37] Seeking out mentors who've been where you are now[20:42] The benefits of choosing to be present[25:16] Changing societal norms around a healthy work-life balance Resources:- Check out John's podcast- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

So often, those in growth roles feel like there's no room for mistakes. Like their job is to know the answers to everything. In this episode, Mario Araujo, VP of Growth at Graphext.com and Product Growth Advisor, discusses the soft-skills needed to develop your leadership style. Listen in for his insights on owning up to mistakes, being clear and empathetic in communication while seeking ways to improve, and creating an environment where colleagues feel comfortable having open and respectful conversations. Along the way, you'll also hear how to go from being the person who jumps on every idea the CEO utters to the person who challenges those thoughts in a productive and respectful manner. In this episode, you’ll learn:1. Strategies for direct, honest communication with your CEO2. The impact leaning into “soft skills” has on culture and your own leadership style3. How to own your mistakes and seek improvement rather than pretending to have all the answersThings to Listen for:[05:07] Mario's journey from technical trainer to growth expert[13:08] The positive impact of cultivating an open, supportive culture[21:48] Building trust through honest communication with your CEO[29:23] Navigating office politics[35:24] Owning up to mistakes and taking action instead of making excuses[38:28] Valuing a healthy work/life balanceResources:- Connect with Mario on LinkedIn or his website- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter- Learn more about Navattic- Learn more about MadKudu

Solid systems, open communication, and self-care are the practices allowing Natalie Marcotullio to thrive as Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic. In this episode, Natalie shares her experience as a one-person Head of Growth and how she's tackled the challenges she faced, such as understanding individual communication styles to achieve cross-functional alignment. Listen in for her insights on improving productivity, taking time for yourself, and tactfully prioritizing tactics based on current needs. In this episode, you’ll learn:1. Be intentional about when you do certain tasks and create a system that helps ensure you're ready for the day ahead 2. Take into account the communication styles and objectives of your team members to communicate effectively3. Clearly lay out experiments, strategies, and tasks in a visible way to keep everyone on the same page and able to prioritize what will help you achieve your goalsThings to Listen for:[03:58] Natalie's journey from growth hacker to growth leader[13:40] The role of effective communication in go-to-market success[18:16] The importance of tactical prioritization for company growth[27:19] Understanding your colleagues' communication styles and objectives[35:32] How to be intentional about what you do and when you do it[41:25] Tackling imposter syndromeResources:Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or TwitterLearn more about NavatticLearn more about MadKudu