The Tech Leader's Playbook

In this episode of the Tech Leader’s Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan interviews Eugene Cherny, an experienced product executive. They discuss Eugene's journey from engineering to product management, the challenges of product management, and the importance of hiring the right people. They also touch on the differences between ad tech companies, the role of AI and machine learning in ad tech, and the key differences between product management at startups and larger companies. Eugene shares advice for aspiring product leaders and discusses the importance of fostering innovation within teams. In this conversation, Eugene Cherny discusses the importance of considering the entire customer journey when building a product. He shares a personal experience where a product launch failed because the internal teams were unable to support the complex features. Cherny emphasizes the need to simplify products and remove unnecessary features to ensure success. He also expresses his concerns about using language models (LLMs) to generate product requirements documents (PRDs) and highlights the value of human judgment in product management. Cherny believes that AI will make more projects possible and sees a bright future for product managers. He concludes by sharing his pride in building successful products and teams. Takeaways Product managers should focus on shipping the right product to the right people at the right time. The role of product management can vary greatly between companies, leading to confusion and unclear boundaries. Product managers should establish clear boundaries and collaborate effectively with other teams. Hiring the right people is crucial for fostering innovation within product teams. Product managers should have direct access to customers and understand their pain points to drive innovation. Leadership in product development involves articulating the value of the product, coaching others, and building relationships across functions. Negotiation, feedback, and relationship-building skills are important for product managers and aspiring product leaders. Product managers should remember that the product is what customers use, not just what is built. Ad tech plays a crucial role in powering the internet and keeping it free. AI and machine learning are used in ad tech to optimize ad performance and generate new creative variations. Consider the entire customer journey when building a product, including training, documentation, and support systems. Simplify products and remove unnecessary features to ensure success and reduce complexity for both customers and internal teams. Be cautious about using language models (LLMs) to generate product requirements documents (PRDs) as they may not capture the nuanced needs of customers. AI will make more projects possible and create opportunities for product managers to focus on higher-level tasks. Building successful products and teams is a source of pride and fulfillment in a product manager's career. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Chris Dowell's Journey 03:39 The Urgency of Digital Transformation 07:34 Empowering Frontline Employees 14:26 The Cultural Change in Digital Transformation 26:15 The Role of Founders and C-Suite in Digital Transformation 33:42 Award-Winning Digital Projects and the Importance of Culture 38:50 Chris Dowell's Next Adventure Guest’s Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/echerny/ Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Matt Higgins, author of Burn the Boats, shares his journey from a high school dropout to a successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks and burning the boats, eliminating retreat as a way to fully commit to your goals. He also discusses the concept of privilege and how it has played a role in his life. Higgins highlights the value of leverageable assets and making the next best decision in the general direction of your ambition. He encourages individuals to identify their unique skills and use them to progress towards their goals. In this conversation, Matt Higgins and Avetis Antaplyan discuss various topics related to entrepreneurship, investing, and decision-making. They touch on the importance of putting in maximum effort and excelling in your work, rather than just doing the minimum. They also discuss the impact of low unemployment rates on work ethic and the need to take on increased responsibility to advance in your career. They emphasize the importance of problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new challenges. They also discuss the role of intuition and pattern recognition in decision-making and the need for due diligence in investing. Matt shares his excitement about the revolutions happening in AI and the potential for growth in the copper industry. They also touch on the importance of understanding the mindset of entrepreneurs and the challenges they face. Takeaways Take risks and eliminate retreat to fully commit to your goals Acknowledge and understand your privilege, while still recognizing the hard work you've put in Identify your leverageable assets and use them to move in the general direction of your ambition Communication skills are valuable and can be a powerful leverageable asset Don't half-ass your efforts, give your best in everything you do Put in maximum effort and excel in your work to stand out and advance in your career. Low unemployment rates can lead to a mindset of doing the minimum, but taking on increased responsibility can create leverageable assets for future opportunities. Problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new challenges are crucial for success. Intuition and pattern recognition play a role in decision-making, but due diligence is also important, especially in investing. The revolutions in AI and the copper industry present exciting opportunities for growth. Understanding the mindset of entrepreneurs and the challenges they face can help in supporting and working with them. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection to Burn the Boats 02:51 The Necessity of Taking Risks and Burn the Boats Concept 08:21 Writing Burn the Boats and the Authenticity of the Journey 14:49 Encouraging Risk-Taking and Avoiding Half-Assed Efforts 24:32 Career Progression and the Value of Communication Skills 28:01 Making the Next Best Decision in the General Direction of Your Ambition 31:18 Putting in Maximum Effort 32:28 The Minimum Effective Dose of Work 33:20 Increased Responsibility and Future Potential 35:27 Using Leverage to Fight for Increased Responsibility 38:57 Intuition and Pattern Recognition in Decision-Making 41:30 Replicating the Clarity of Crisis Disinformation 45:21 The Importance of Data in Decision-Making 49:31 The Desire to Get Wealthier 52:12 Unlocking Disequilibrium in the Universe 56:24 Building a Domestic Small Drone Industry Guest’s Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-higgins-rse/ https://www.instagram.com/mhiggins/?hl=en Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

In this episode, Avetis Antaplyan interviews Gail Casper, a two-time TED speaker and sales expert. They discuss Gail's journey in sales, the importance of customization in sales training, and the challenges of selling in different industries. They also talk about the role of networking and referrals in sales, the systematic attitude development technique, and the key qualities to look for when hiring sales professionals. Gail Casper discusses her experience as a semi-finalist on The Apprentice and the lessons she learned from the process. She emphasizes the importance of thinking quickly on your feet and fighting for yourself in competitive situations. Gail also shares how her experience in media, including having her own show and contributing to Success Magazine, has contributed to her sales career as a trainer. She talks about her new book, 'Sell Like a Cockatoo,' which focuses on mastering the new way of selling in a rapidly changing world. Gail also discusses the impact of AI on sales and the importance of genuine rapport building in sales interactions. Takeaways Sales is often seen as a dirty word, but it actually comes from a Greek root word meaning 'to give'. Customization is key in sales training, including understanding the company, its value proposition, and the products. Networking and referrals are powerful tools in sales, and face-to-face interactions can make a big difference. The systematic attitude development technique helps sales professionals get logical in the face of emotion and overcome challenges. When hiring sales professionals, look for core competencies such as passion for the product, resilience, and a customer-centric mindset. Thinking quickly on your feet and fighting for yourself are important skills in competitive situations. Experience in media can contribute to a sales career by boosting confidence and providing opportunities for training and coaching. Genuine rapport building is crucial in sales, and salespeople should focus on understanding the customer's needs and providing value. AI may have a role in sales, but human-to-human contact and targeted, personalized approaches are still essential for success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Gail's Journey in Sales 04:14 The Power of Customization in Sales Training 06:00 Networking and Referrals in Sales 10:33 The Systematic Attitude Development Technique 21:58 Lessons from The Apprentice 24:09 The Impact of Media Experience on Sales 30:53 Mastering the New Way of Selling in a Rapidly Changing World 40:32 The Role of AI in Sales: Finding the Balance Guest’s Website: https://gailkasper.com/ Guest’s Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/GAILKASPER Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Christian Espinosa, a cybersecurity expert and founder of Blue Goat Cyber, shares his journey from a challenging childhood to building successful cybersecurity companies. He emphasizes the importance of leadership skills and self-leadership in both the military and business world. Christian discusses the evolving cybersecurity landscape, highlighting the need for companies to prioritize fundamental cybersecurity practices and adapt to the use of AI by cybercriminals. He also shares insights from his books, 'The Smartest Person in the Room' and 'The In-Between: Life in the Micro,' and offers advice on monotasking and personal growth. Takeaways Leadership skills learned in the military, such as being a good follower and self-leadership, are applicable in the commercial world. Fundamental cybersecurity practices, such as multi-factor authentication and patching systems, are crucial in combating cyber threats. The use of AI by cybercriminals poses a significant threat, and professionals should learn AI to enhance their defense strategies. Balancing professional ambitions with personal passions and health requires prioritization and saying no to distractions. Business growth is closely tied to personal growth, and leaders must continually develop new skills and perspectives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Importance of Cybersecurity 05:32 Transition to Cybersecurity and Focus on Medical Devices 14:46 Current Cybersecurity Threats and the Role of AI 26:57 Balancing Professional Ambitions and Personal Passions 32:41 Where to Find Christian Espinosa Guest’s Website: https://christianespinosa.com/ Guest’s Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/ Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Christopher Dedeyan, a professional speaker and peak performance coach, shares his journey of overcoming dyslexia and ADHD to become a successful entrepreneur and speaker. He emphasizes the importance of energy in all aspects of life and provides tips for enhancing energy levels, such as prioritizing sleep, engaging in daily activities, and maintaining a healthy diet. Dedeyan also discusses the significance of eliminating limiting beliefs and being relentless in pursuing success. The conversation covers topics such as limiting beliefs, conquering challenges, creating a blueprint plan, the importance of systems and processes, the impact of leadership, and daily habits for success. Takeaways Energy is a crucial asset that needs to be protected and optimized in order to succeed in all areas of life. Enhancing energy levels involves prioritizing sleep, engaging in daily activities, and maintaining a healthy diet. Limiting beliefs can hinder success and need to be identified and replaced with empowering beliefs. Being relentless and learning from failures are key factors in achieving greatness. Limiting beliefs can be overcome through determination and perseverance. Creating a blueprint plan is essential for success in business and life. Systems and processes are crucial for achieving goals and maintaining success. Leadership requires making tough decisions for the greater good. Daily habits such as proper sleep, exercise, gratitude, and continuous learning contribute to personal and professional growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Christopher Dedeyan 08:37 Enhancing Energy Levels for Optimal Performance 29:42 Eliminating Limiting Beliefs and Achieving Greatness 37:20 The Importance of Systems and Processes 55:31 Daily Habits for Success Guest’s Website: https://www.christopherdedeyan.com/ Guest’s Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherdedeyan/ Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Chip Conley, a visionary leader in the hospitality industry, shares his journey from founding a boutique hotel company to redefining the guest experience at Airbnb. He then discusses his transition to creating the Modern Elder Academy, a midlife wisdom school. Chip emphasizes the importance of intergenerational collaboration and the need to create workplaces that value the contributions of all generations. He also highlights the lessons he learned from Airbnb, including the importance of focus and understanding customer needs. In this conversation, Chip Conley discusses the concept of midlife and how it is often associated with crisis. He explains that midlife is a life stage that lasts from around 35 to 75 and highlights the positive aspects of this stage, such as increased emotional intelligence, wisdom, and time affluence. Chip also talks about the importance of transitions, finding purpose, and cultivating wisdom in midlife. He shares practical steps for navigating the transformative period of midlife and emphasizes the value of intergenerational work. Chip envisions the Modern Elder Academy as a pro-aging institution that helps people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Takeaways Chip Conley's journey from founding a boutique hotel company to redefining the guest experience at Airbnb. The creation of the Modern Elder Academy as a midlife wisdom school. The importance of intergenerational collaboration in the workplace. Lessons learned from Airbnb, including the value of focus and understanding customer needs Midlife is a life stage that lasts from around 35 to 75 and is often associated with crisis, but it has many positive aspects. Emotional intelligence tends to increase with age, allowing individuals to better understand and regulate their emotions. Time affluence, or having more free time, becomes a reality in midlife and allows for new experiences and learning. Navigating transitions is an important aspect of midlife, and understanding the stages of ending, the messy middle, and new beginnings can help individuals navigate this period. Finding purpose and cultivating wisdom are key to thriving in midlife and beyond. The future of work will likely involve longer working lives and a more intergenerational workforce. The Modern Elder Academy aims to change the perception of aging and help people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Chapters 00:00 Chip Conley's Journey: From Boutique Hotels to Airbnb 09:35 Intergenerational Collaboration: The Future of the Workplace 28:34 Navigating Transitions and Finding Purpose 36:30 The Future of Work Guest’s Website: https://chipconley.com/ Guest’s Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf/ Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

Emily Sander shares her journey from being a C-suite executive to becoming an ICF certified leadership coach. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and agility in leadership, as well as the need to let go of perfectionism. Emily also discusses the role of a chief of staff and the key differences between a chief of staff and an executive assistant. She provides insights on effective leadership and the challenges faced by early executives and founders. Additionally, Emily talks about the importance of transparency and communication in high-pressure environments. Takeaways Leaders today need to be adaptable and agile in order to navigate constant change. The role of a chief of staff is to hold the executive team together and tactically execute strategy across the organization. Perfectionism can hinder progress and burn out team members, so it's important to embrace messy action and have a bias for progress. Founders often become the bottleneck for their teams and need to shift their mindset to focus on adding value in new ways. Private equity can be a valuable option for scaling a business, but it's important to professionalize the organization and communicate transparently. In high-pressure environments, leaders should take time to make good decisions, communicate openly with their teams, and prioritize transparency and agility. Chapters 00:00 Emily's Journey: From C-Suite Executive to Leadership Coach 06:28 The Role of a Chief of Staff 12:42 Embracing Messy Action and Letting Go of Perfectionism 25:09 Private Equity: Scaling and Professionalizing Your Business 29:17 Leading in High-Pressure Environments: Transparency and Agility Guest’s Website: https://www.nextlevel.coach/ Guest’s Social Media Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysander/ Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.com https://www.podcast.hireclout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/

AI is here to make people more efficient, not replace them. Leadership is leadership, regardless of industry. Motivating intrinsically motivated people is more effective than trying to motivate unmotivated people. Entrepreneurship and leadership are challenging and often thankless. Staying power and risk-taking are important qualities for success. Radical candor and deep connections with people are crucial for effective leadership. AI has flaws and opportunities for improvement. It is important to be cautious with the power of AI and consider the potential risks. Investing in people and staying present in the moment have a high ROI for businesses. Customer service and building strong relationships with customers are essential for success. Takeaways AI is here to make people more efficient, not replace them. Leadership is leadership, regardless of industry. Motivating intrinsically motivated people is more effective than trying to motivate unmotivated people. Entrepreneurship and leadership are challenging and often thankless. Staying power and risk-taking are important qualities for success. Radical candor and deep connections with people are crucial for effective leadership. AI has flaws and opportunities for improvement. It is important to be cautious with the power of AI and consider the potential risks. Investing in people and staying present in the moment have a high ROI for businesses. Customer service and building strong relationships with customers are essential for success. Chapters 00:00 AI: Making People More Efficient, Not Replacing Them 16:13 Leadership Lessons: Industry Doesn't Matter 20:53 AI: Flaws, Opportunities, and Caution 26:07 Investing in People: High ROI for Businesses 29:27 The Importance of Customer Service and Relationships

Building a culture of innovation requires hiring innovative people, allocating time for innovation, and celebrating failure. Innovation is different from creativity, as it involves forward thinking and pushing boundaries. Balancing the need for innovation with the need for stability is important, with 80-90% of time focused on the core business and 10-20% on innovation. As a team grows, the culture changes, and it's important to be intentional about the vision. Investing in innovation through conferences, think tanks, and exposure to smart people is crucial. Barriers to a culture of innovation include hiring the wrong people and not providing space for innovation. Giving up the good for the great is necessary for innovation. Creating an innovative culture requires strong leadership, collaboration, resources, and a willingness to take risks. Leaders must communicate the vision and create an environment where teams can collaborate in person. Providing resources, including time and money, is essential for innovation. Leaders should be willing to drop a bomb and make quick decisions to maintain momentum. Autonomy and trust are crucial, allowing teams to explore ideas outside of their day-to-day responsibilities. Rewarding or punishing failures is important, and leaders should be willing to fail fast and let go of ideas that aren't working. Takeaways Building a culture of innovation requires hiring innovative people and allocating time for innovation. Innovation is different from creativity and involves forward thinking and pushing boundaries. Balancing the need for innovation with the need for stability is important, with 80-90% of time focused on the core business and 10-20% on innovation. Investing in innovation through conferences, think tanks, and exposure to smart people is crucial. Barriers to a culture of innovation include hiring the wrong people and not providing space for innovation. Giving up the good for the great is necessary for innovation. Leaders must communicate the vision and create an environment for collaboration Providing resources, including time and money, is essential for innovation Leaders should be willing to drop a bomb and make quick decisions Autonomy and trust are crucial for allowing teams to explore new ideas Rewarding or punishing failures is important for fostering innovation Leaders should be willing to fail fast and let go of ideas that aren't working Chapters 00:00 Building a Culture of Innovation: Hiring and Time Allocation 08:54 Investing in Innovation: Conferences, Think Tanks, and Exposure to Smart People 28:12 Overcoming Perfectionism: Embracing Failure 36:25 Making Decisions: Letting Go of Ideas 42:33 Iterating and Adapting: Failing Fast

Chris Fenning, a renowned author and communication expert, shares his journey from being an aerospace engineer to becoming a communications instructor and trainer. He discusses the gap he noticed in communication advice, particularly in being clear and concise. Chris introduces the concept of the 'first minute' and explains how framing a conversation with context, intent, and a key message can improve communication effectiveness. He also highlights the importance of focusing on solutions rather than problems and provides tips for crafting effective emails. In this conversation, Chris Fenning and Avetis Antaplyan discuss effective communication in the workplace and in personal relationships. They explore topics such as brevity in emails, the balance between providing sufficient details and being concise, the importance of framing conversations, and the challenges of communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders. They also touch on the role of AI in communication and the need for prompt engineering. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of clear and intentional communication in building strong relationships and achieving desired outcomes. Takeaways Chris Fenning transitioned from being an aerospace engineer to a communications instructor and trainer. The gap in communication advice, particularly in being clear and concise, led Chris to write his book 'The First Minute'. Framing a conversation with context, intent, and a key message is crucial for effective communication. Focusing on solutions rather than problems can lead to more productive conversations. Crafting emails with a clear subject line and keeping them concise improves read and response rates. Brevity is important in email communication, but it's essential to provide sufficient details to get the point across. The inclusion of niceties in emails can vary depending on the recipient's preferences and the urgency of the message. Clear framing of conversations is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective communication. In personal relationships, it's important to understand whether the other person wants to vent or seeks problem-solving advice. Technical leaders should focus on communicating the impact and outcomes of technology rather than the technical details. AI can assist in communication, but it's important to review and edit the output to ensure it aligns with the intended message. As technology evolves, the role of communication in tech will continue to be essential, and understanding how to communicate effectively will be a valuable skill. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Chris Fenning's Journey 03:36 The Gap in Communication Advice 06:19 The Power of the First Minute 16:07 Framing Conversations for Clarity 26:30 Crafting Effective Emails 28:47 Mastering Brevity in Email Communication 32:53 The Challenge of Framing Conversations 37:06 Balancing Venting and Problem-Solving in Personal Relationships 42:42 Effective Communication with Non-Technical Stakeholders 46:08 The Role of AI in Communication: Pros and Cons 47:01 The Importance of Prompt Engineering in AI Communication 50:53 The Future of Communication in Tech