Christian Idiodi goes behind the craft of great product work, to the topics that usually aren’t talked about. He discusses behavioral, mindset, and cultural iss...
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss founder-style leadership. Building on themes from Paul Graham’s essay “Founder Mode,” Christian and Marty break down what effective product leadership looks like. Anyone can learn these skills through enough effort and care, whether they are a founder or not.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Misconceptions about founder-style leadership
Why you can’t be a good manager without being a good coach
The line between founder-style leadership and micromanagement
How to scale product sense
Lessons from Apple, Google and Amazon’s leadership principles
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References:
Amazon’s Leadership Principles: https://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/our-workplace/leadership-principles
Apple’s Leadership Principles: https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/HBR_How_Apple_Is_Organized_For_Innovation-4.pdf
Bill Campbell (Executive Coach): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Campbell_(business_executive)
Coaching Founder Mode by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-founder-mode/
Founder Mode by Paul Graham https://paulgraham.com/foundermode.html
Founder-Style Leadership by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/founder-style-leadership/
Google’s Leadership Principles: https://www.geeknack.com/2020/07/31/google-leadership-principles-at-a-glance/
Mike Fisher (CEO of MyFitnessPal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-fisher-3317a8/
Pilot Teams by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/pilot-teams/
Product Sense Demystified by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-sense-demystified/
Steve Jobs on Professional Managers (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVKcxK_tVBM&ab_channel=ConsultingComedy
The Coaching Mindset by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/the-coaching-mindset/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Marty Cagan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) Initial reactions to "Founder Mode"
(03:46) "Better management" not "less management"
(06:18) Historical examples of founder-style leadership
(10:22) Founder-style leadership in startups
(14:44) Scaling product sense
(23:46) Europe's "People-Only Manager" trend
(26:34) The line between founder-style leadership and micromanagement
(33:00) Shifting a culture toward founder-style leadership
(37:06) Success stories: Apple and Amazon
(40:13) Closing thoughts
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
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41:27
Coaching Time Management
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Chris Jones, discuss time management. Many people in product feel they work long hours yet can’t achieve their goals. They spend so much time in meetings and reacting to what is urgent that they struggle to make space for real product work. These problems can be rooted in team culture or individual skills and habits. Either way, with the right strategies, effective time management is possible.
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In this discussion we unpack:
Product-specific time management dynamics
How to evaluate where your time really goes
How to avoid the trap of the “urgent”
The link between team culture and time management
Actionable tips for reducing pointless meetings
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References:
Amazon’s 6-page written memos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V32wRmx7kE0&ab_channel=InsideAmazon
Coaching Managing Time: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-managing-time/
Eisenhower Matrix (urgency and importance): https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/
Parkinson’s Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Chris Jones:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/
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Timestamps:
(02:22) The Eisenhower Matrix
(05:14) The link between team culture and time management
(06:47) Causes and solutions for "too many meetings"
(14:21) The Pie Chart Exercise
(17:39) Seven tips for better meetings
(21:12) The four types of meetings
(27:10) Making time for discovery work
(30:47) Closing thoughts
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
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33:08
Coaching Product Marketing
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Martina Lauchengco, discuss product marketing. Martina is a leading mind on the subject and the author of “Loved: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products.” Learn what product marketing is, how it fits with other functions, and why it ultimately matters.
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In this discussion we unpack:
The fundamentals of product marketing
Its interplay with product management, traditional marketing, and sales
A real world success story
Identifying a need for product marketing at your company
The case for product marketing at your company
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References:
Costanoa Ventures: https://costanoa.vc/
LOVED: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products, by Martina Lauchengco: https://www.svpg.com/books/loved-how-to-rethink-marketing-for-tech-products/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Martina Lauchengco:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinalauchengco/
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Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:01:37] Product marketing 101
[00:03:24] Which companies need product marketing?
[00:07:30] Structuring product marketing
[00:09:40] How product marketing differs from traditional marketing and sales
[00:10:28] An example of successful product marketing
[00:14:46] Healthy collaboration between product marketing and product management
[00:18:57] How to do product marketing without product marketers
[00:20:52] Making the case for product marketing at your company
[00:24:03] Outro
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
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25:10
Coaching Product Career Advice
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Jon Moore, coach product career advice. In recent years, the level of interest, formality and resourcing around product careers has grown significantly. But there are still many misconceptions about the nature of the discipline, how to break into it, and how to progress in the field. Hear Christian and Jon’s candid thoughts on the different resources available, as well as practical advice for entering product and developing your career.
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In this discussion we unpack:
Approaching your career like a product
The value of certifications vs self-education vs life experience
The role of mentorship and coaches
The importance of “human skills”
What employers look for when hiring PMs
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References:
Kate Leto on “Human Skills”: https://www.kateleto.com/articles/human-skills-wheel
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Jon Moore:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathonmoore/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:22) Jon's journey into product
(04:26) Common paths to becoming great at product
(08:50) Advice for people interested in a product career
(11:10) Are formal courses valuable?
(15:29) How John assesses early-career PMs
(17:52) The importance of "human skills”
(24:04) Make a product vision for your product career
(28:48) The importance of humility and patience
(32:18) What people forget about product roles
(36:34) Outro
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
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37:30
Coaching Stakeholder Collaboration
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner Lea Hickman go deep on stakeholder collaboration. They explain what a stakeholder is and exactly how to collaborate with them. Learn from real life examples and tactical advice for avoiding common pitfalls.
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In this discussion we unpack:
A practical definition or “stakeholder”
How they can be enablers rather than barriers
The importance of being proactive
Why one-on-ones are better than group meetings
How to navigate stakeholder-driven roadmaps
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References:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find SVPG:
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Lea Hickman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/
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Timestamps:
[00:01:15] Defining "stakeholder" (voice vs vote)
[00:04:12] Example of identifying and engaging stakeholders
[00:09:35] Example of stakeholders being enablers, not barriers
[00:11:01] The importance of being proactive
[00:13:21] Engaging via documents vs conversations
[00:16:13] Why one-on-ones are better than group meetings
[00:17:53] The value of engaging with the sales team
[00:19:43] Navigating stakeholder-driven roadmaps
[00:24:24] How to help stakeholders understand customer problems
[00:27:14] The rule of improv in stakeholder engagement
[00:28:23] Outro
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production: Production by supermix.io
Christian Idiodi goes behind the craft of great product work, to the topics that usually aren’t talked about. He discusses behavioral, mindset, and cultural issues with fellow SVPG partners.
South Africa