Gabi Bufrem is a product and leadership coach who partners with executives and teams worldwide to unlock performance with a rare blend of curiosity, empathy, and candor. In this conversation with Christian, Gabi breaks down what great coaching looks like, how to build trust quickly, and why the best leaders measure their success through the growth of others.Today’s episode will discuss:The difference between mentorship, management, and coachingWhy everyone not only should have a coach but deserves a coachThe three steps to building trust quicklyWhy vulnerability is a crucial unlockBusting limiting beliefs and “leaving space for magic” in career arcsHow to give tough, constructive feedback as a coachThe core difference between coaching leaders and coaching ICsHow to measure coaching impact through tangible wins-References:Marty Cagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/Stephen Curry: https://x.com/StephenCurry30Usain Bolt: https://x.com/usainbolt-More from SVPG on product coaching:Articles on coaching: https://www.svpg.com/the-coaching-series/-Where to find Gabi Bufrem:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellebufrem/https://www.gabriellebufrem.com/-Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/-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-Timestamps:(01:08) What does a product coach do?(06:18) Gabi’s journey into coaching(10:01) Coaches see what you can’t(15:05) How to encourage healthy dialogue(18:36) The power of vulnerability(20:26) Designing discovery sessions(24:55) Revealing clients’ blind spots(27:10) How to give constructive feedback(32:44) “My job is to teach you how to fish”(37:04) A mindset for improving communication(40:25) Coaching leaders vs. coaching ICs(42:28) Measuring success as a coach-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/-Production:Production by supermix.io
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47:05
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47:05
Coaching Team Objectives
Christian sits down with Jon Moore to unpack one of the most important — and most misapplied — practices in modern product teams: team objectives. They break down why OKRs often fail, how to make objectives meaningful for empowered teams, and why focus, trust, and problem-solving are at the heart of real product outcomes.-Today’s discussion unpacks:What team objectives really are (and aren’t)Why most companies get OKRs wrongHow to shift from outputs to outcomesThe role of leadership in creating focus and contextHow to set clear, problem-based objectivesThe difference between team, business, and individual objectivesWhy functional goals kill cross-functional teams- References:Empowered (book): https://www.svpg.com/books/empowered/Google OKRs: https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/set-goals-with-okrsMarty Cagan on Empowered Teams: https://www.svpg.com/empowered-product-teams/-SVPG series on team objectives:Accountability: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-accountability/Action: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-action/ Ambition: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-ambition/Collaboration: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-collaboration/Commitments: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-commitments/Empowerment: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-empowerment/Management: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-management/ Overview: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-overview/Summary: https://www.svpg.com/team-objectives-summary/Where to find Jon Moore:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathonmoore/-Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/-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-Timestamps:(00:56) What are company objectives?(02:39) Why teams get OKRs wrong(05:10) The true purpose of a team objective(07:48) OKRs only work with the right team culture(09:04) Leaders often want success shortcuts(09:58) The mechanics of a great team objective(13:28) Who should set team objectives?(18:23) The optimal cadence for revising objectives(20:11) Why environment shapes key results(22:41) You should lead with context(25:14) The high-integrity commitment(27:50) Can many teams share one objective?(28:59) A common objective pitfall(30:29) How to reinforce accountability-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/-Production:Production by supermix.io
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33:06
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33:06
Coaching Product Strategy
Christian sits down with Marty to demystify one of the most talked-about, yet misunderstood topics in product: product strategy. They draw sharp lines between business strategy, go-to-market, vision, and product strategy; dig into why lack of focus masquerades as a “prioritization problem”; and unpack how strong product strategy drives alignment and results.-Today’s discussion unpacks:A clear definition of product strategyHow product strategy differs from business strategyWhat “we have a prioritization problem” really meansEarning stakeholder trustMoving from feature roadmaps to outcome-based roadmapsHow to pick focus areasHow to increase the odds of successWhen and how AI belongs in your product strategy-References:AMD: https://www.amd.comAmazon: https://www.amazon.comApple: https://www.apple.comBoeing: https://www.boeing.comCoaching Transformation: Inside Datasite’s Radical Transformation to a Product Model Powerhouse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8qnxHlfXwUDatasite: https://www.datasite.comEmpowered (book): https://www.svpg.com/books/empowered/Google DeepMind: https://deepmind.googleNetflix: https://www.netflix.comNvidia: https://www.nvidia.comOpenAI: https://www.openai.comSpaceX: https://www.spacex.comTechCrunch: https://techcrunch.comTSMC: https://www.tsmc.com-More from SVPG on product strategy:Articles on product strategy: https://www.svpg.com/insights/product-strategy-articles/-Where to find Marty Cagan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/-Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/-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-Timestamps:(01:34) Defining product strategy(05:43) Product strategy vs. business strategy(13:51) Do you need a product vision?(16:03) What characterizes a good strategy?(23:25) How to coach executives on focus(30:49) Earning stakeholder trust(36:09) Who should solve and who should strategize?(38:11) Annual planning vs. real strategy(41:25) The two components of a product strategy(45:14) Where product strategies fail(48:41) How does AI impact product strategy?(52:43) Strategic pivots: making the strategy a living artifact-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/-Production:Production by supermix.io
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57:33
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57:33
Coaching Transformation: How a Hospitality Company Adopted the Product Model
Christian sits down with Anuar Chapur and Gabrielle Bufrem to recount how they transformed Palace Resorts, a Mexico-based hospitality company with 15,000 employees and more than 6,000 rooms across seven countries. Together, they unpack the cultural shifts, mindset changes, and problem-solving approaches that helped a hospitality company start thinking and operating like a tech company.–Today’s discussion unpacks:How transformation drove 5x higher conversion rates and millions in cost savings Concrete examples of how the company worked before and after transformingThe role of coaching, trust building, team topology, and pilot teamsThe biggest challenges on the transformation journeyAdvice for anyone considering or undergoing transformation–References:Changing How You Solve Problems: https://www.svpg.com/changing-how-you-solve-problems/SVPG’s Transformation Series: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-series/Transformation Defined: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-defined/–Where to find Palace ResortsCompany website: https://www.thepalacecompany.com/esInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/palaceresorts/Resorts website: https://www.palaceresorts.com/–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/workshops/Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/–Where to find Anuar Chapur:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuar-chapur/–Where to find Gabrielle Bufrem:Website: https://www.gabriellebufrem.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellebufrem/Newsletter: https://theproductleaderinsider.substack.com/–Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:55) The company before transformation(06:24) Bringing in a coach and building trust(09:49) Gabrielle’s initial assessment(11:20) Setting up a pilot team(16:44) Problem discovery and problem solving(18:26) Measuring success(21:19) Using data to inform decisions and build trust(23:12) An example of the product-mindset shift(27:18) Changing team topology(30:42) Biggest challenges on the transformation journey(35:02) The results of transformation(39:07) Advice for anyone going through a transformation–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/–Production:Production by supermix.io
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43:21
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43:21
Coaching Up
Christian sits down with fellow SVPG partner Lea Hickman to tackle a topic that rarely gets discussed openly: coaching up. Why is it taboo to give feedback to your manager? How do you coach leaders who are checked out, micromanaging, or think they’re always right? Hear Lea’s wisdom from her time coaching leaders and leading teams herself at companies like Adobe and IBM. –Today’s discussion unpacks:Why coaching up is different from managing up (and why it matters)How to ask for coaching and feedback, even from disengaged or difficult managersWhat to do when your manager thinks they’re always rightNavigating ego, insecurity, and imposter syndrome in leadershipHow to “manage up” when your manager is new or underqualifiedUsing a personal “user manual” to decode your manager’s styleWhy shaping your relationship with your manager is your responsibility too–References:Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/IBM: https://www.ibm.com/Marty Cagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/–Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Where to find Lea Hickman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/–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/–Timestamps:(02:18) The taboo of coaching up(04:04) Coaching up vs. managing up(05:11) What to do if your manager doesn’t coach you(08:28) Managers need to learn how to coach(11:08) Coaching a manager who’s “always right”(16:19) The real challenges of imposter syndrome(17:17) How to coach a manager who isn’t engaged(23:25) Underrated tools to help you coach up(24:21) Write your own user manual(31:32) When coaching up doesn’t work(33:24) Two core skills to become a better employee–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/–Production:Production bysupermix.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