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.

-

Today’s discussion unpacks:

-

References:

-

Where to find SVPG:

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

-

Where to find Marty Cagan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/

-

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

-

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

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. 

-

In this discussion we unpack:

-

References:

-

Where to find SVPG:

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

-

Where to find Chris Jones:

-

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

-

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

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.

-

In this discussion we unpack:

References:

Where to find SVPG:

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

Where to find Martina Lauchengco:

-

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

-

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

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.

–

In this discussion we unpack:

–

References:

–

Where to find SVPG:

–

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

–

Where to find Jon Moore:

–

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

–

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

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.

-

In this discussion we unpack:

-

References:

-

Where to find SVPG:

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

-

Where to find Lea Hickman:

-

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

-

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

In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Martina Lauchengco, go deep on all things feedback. They discuss why feedback matters, how to give and receive it well, and how best practices change at different levels of a team hierarchy. Hear real examples of feedback conversations and actionable frameworks, phrases and tactics that you can use today.

–

In this discussion we unpack:

–

References:

–

Where to find SVPG:

–

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

–

Where to find Martina Lauchengco:

–

Timestamps:

[00:46] Why feedback matters

[02:55] What effective feedback sounds like

[08:32] Actionable phrases, tools and tactics

[11:56] How leaders can facilitate feedback

[14:27] How to give feedback to seniors

[18:57] The time and place to give feedback

[20:07] How to give positive feedback

[22:06] The coaching mindset

[26:21] Outro

–

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

In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Chris Jones, discuss imposter syndrome. They explain what imposter syndrome looks like, the different things it can signal, and how to coach yourself and others through it. Hear real stories about experiencing imposter syndrome and the proven tactics to help you overcome it. 

-

In today’s discussion, we unpack:

-

References:

-

Where to find SVPG:

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

-

Where to find Chris Jones: 

-

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:48) What imposter syndrome looks and feels like

(03:17) What is imposter syndrome really telling you?

(04:15) How does it manifest?

(06:20) Christian’s experience with imposter syndrome

(10:02) Chris' experience with imposter syndrome

(13:40) How to coach others through imposter syndrome

(16:00) A hack for learning skills you're afraid of

(18:40) Managing imposter syndrome as a leader 

(21:42) Creating a culture of coaching

(27:15) Anxiety of anticipation > anxiety of reality

(28:05) Outro

-

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

In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Jon Moore, discuss ethics. They explain why good ethics is good business, who owns ethics in a company, and how to escalate ethical concerns. Hear real stories about complex ethical scenarios and practical advice for navigating these challenges in the workplace.

-

In today’s discussion, we unpack:

-

References:

-

Where to find SVPG:

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

-

Where to find Jon:

-

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:11] The role of ethics in technology development

[00:05:00] Who owns ethical questions within companies?

[00:09:38] A challenging ethical scenario

[00:13:38] Why good ethics is good business

[00:18:56] The ethical landscape surrounding generative AI

[00:21:30] Who owns the ethical responsibility in AI?

[00:24:20] The importance of diversity

[00:26:51] Ethics reflection exercise

[00:27:52] Outro

-

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

In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG Partner, Lea Hickman delve into the critical role of trust in empowered teams. They discuss why it's essential in product work, the complex dimensions of trust, and how you can help build and maintain trust in your own organization. Hear real stories and examples of being vulnerable, investing in relationships, and building an environment that sets product teams up for success.

-

In today’s discussion, we unpack:

-

Timestamps: 

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:07] Why trust matters

[00:03:40] Trust doesn't require friendship

[00:05:03] Building trust is leadership work

[00:06:21] The many dimensions of trust

[00:09:23] How vulnerability builds trust

[00:12:57] The delicate trust dynamics involved with new hires

[00:19:04] How to break a cycle of mistrust

[00:21:33] Trust is a two-way street

[00:23:06] The importance of a shared vision

[00:26:04] Building trust requires courage

[00:29:14] Outro

-

References:

Christian’s onboarding programme: https://www.svpg.com/new-employee-bootcamp/

Servant leadership: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_leadership

-

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/

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

-

Where to find Lea Hickman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/

-

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

In this episode, Marty and Christian discuss product sense. Product sense is one of the most valuable traits for anyone in product. It makes someone a prime candidate for promotion, and considerably improves job satisfaction. However, while many people recognize the value of product sense, too many uphold a misconception that it is a trait you have to be born with. In fact, product sense is something you can develop by embracing the right mindsets and putting in the effort to make the most of the resources around you.

-

In today’s discussion, we unpack all things product sense:

-

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:00:36] Defining product sense

[00:02:55] Spotting product sense

[00:05:48] Humility

[00:09:44] Curiosity

[00:10:11] Empathy

[00:14:05] How Marty built and builds his product sense

[00:17:20] Why domain expertise is a double-edged sword

[00:20:59] How to develop the foundations of product sense

[00:23:01] Resources within your company that will help build product sense

[00:24:48] Finding the "smartest person at the company”

[00:28:11] How biographies can build product sense

[00:29:55] Outro

-

References:

-

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/

-

Where to find Christian Idiodi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

-

Where to find Marty Cagan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/

-

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/