Product Therapy

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

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 sits down with Shreyas Doshi to discuss product leadership. Shreyas has led teams at Stripe, Twitter, Google, and Yahoo, and he has coached 100s of founders and product executives across the industry. Learn why most product problems are product leadership problems, and how to hire the right product leader for your company stage. –Today’s discussion unpacks:Why nearly every product problem is a product leadership problemThe essence of great product leadership3 archetypal leadership styles—and how to spot themThe key questions to ask before hiring a product leaderHow to hire the right product leader for your company stage–References:3 types of product leaders: https://coda.io/@shreyas/3-product-leader-archetypesThe MSN exercise for hiring:  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shreyasdoshi_a-job-description-jd-is-the-first-thing-activity-7058964842530934784-4H8F/SVPG articles on product leadership: https://www.svpg.com/insights/product-leadership-articles/Switching from creating to editing products: https://x.com/shreyas/status/1284499367383035904 –Where to find Christian Idiodi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Where to find Shreyas Doshi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyasdoshi/X/Twitter: https://x.com/shreyasThreads: https://www.threads.com/@shreyas.threads Shreyas’ Product Sense Course (for founders & product leaders): https://maven.com/shreyas-doshi/product-senseMore: https://linktr.ee/shreyasdoshi–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:(00:00) Episode intro (00:20) Shreyas’ product leadership philosophy (07:37) Defining the product leader role(12:46) Step #1 before hiring a product leader (15:55) The most important consideration when hiring product leaders(17:33)  A common failure pattern in product leadership hiring (19:53) The 3 archetypal product leadership styles(25:35) How to uncover someone’s product leadership style (31:37) The MSN exercise(37:13) Before hiring a product leader, ask yourself these questions (40:39)  Closing recap (42:25) Where to find more from SVPG –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

Christian sits down with Marty Cagan to decode team topology: one of the most consequential yet misunderstood levers in product organizations. Learn how great leaders design product teams for maximum autonomy, clarity, and customer impact.–Today’s discussion unpacks:How team topology is different from org structureRed flags that indicate a broken team structureThe brutal trade-offs in optimizing for outcomes vs. velocityHow cognitive load, chemistry, and trust affect team performanceHow to approach team design in growing or transforming orgs–References:Amazon’s Two Pizza Team: https://aws.amazon.com/executive-• insights/content/amazon-two-pizza-team/Factors in Structuring a Product Organization by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/factors-in-structuring-a-product-organization/High Integrity Commitments by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/managing-commitments-in-an-agile-team/Pierre Omidyar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-omidyar-bb10687b/Team Topologies by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais: https://www.amazon.com/Team-Topologies-Organizing-Business-Technology/dp/1942788819–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/–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(0:46) What is team topology?(1:56) Top-down vs. bottom-up approaches(3:01) Team topology ≠ org structure(5:26) Optimizing for outcomes vs. throughput(10:20) 3 signs you have a topology problem(15:24) Who should own team topology?(17:17) The surprising value of platform teams(18:14) How do you define a product?(20:36) The first step in a topology project(22:23) The cost of scaling teams(24:52) What high-performing topology requires(25:13) Balancing resources and ratios(32:36) Rolling out team topology changes(33:34) Dismantling bureaucratic team bloat(40:42) Addressing legacy teams and bureaucracy–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

Christian sits down with Doug Cullen and Thomas Fredell to recount how the trio transformed Merrill Corporation into Datasite. Learn from the real stories, strategies, and tactics that turned a 50y/o company into a modern product model powerhouse.–Today’s discussion unpacks:The immense benefits of Datasite’s transformationThe kinds of challenges that arise in a transformation processHow to align stakeholders around a transformationThe all-important interpersonal side of successful transformationAdvice for anyone going through a transformation process–References:Changing How You Solve Problems: https://www.svpg.com/changing-how-you-solve-problems/Cloud Foundry: https://www.cloudfoundry.org/Datasite (Formerly known as Merrill Corporation): https://www.datasite.com/Digital Transformations: Datasite: https://www.svpg.com/podcasts/digital-transformations-datasite/?utm_source=chatgpt.comGood to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996Microservices Architecture Style: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/architecture-styles/microservicesMongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/SVPG’s Transformation Series: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-series/ Transformation Defined: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-defined/–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/–Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Where to find Doug Cullen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougcullen/–Where to find Thomas Fredell:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredell/–Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:02) The results of this transformation (03:21) Why Doug and Thomas joined the company (07:07) The company before transformation (12:17) First steps on the transformation journey (15:11) Near misses on the road to success (16:37) How do you pitch transformation to a board? (18:56) Finding the courage to make difficult changes (20:24) Uniting teams around transformation (26:51) The importance of building trust(31:29) Roadbumps on the transformation journey (37:18) Transforming the tech foundations(41:01) The importance of real customer discovery (45:28) Shifting how choices are made (49:06) Merrill's key transformation outcomes (50:08) Closing advice for transformations–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

Where to find SVPG: SVPG’s new book, EMPOWERED: 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

In this episode, Christian sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss how AI is changing product management. They lay out why the role is becoming more complicated and more important, and they share practical advice for preparing for that future. –Today’s discussion unpacks:Examples of AI making product management more complicated How AI impacts different types of product risk New dynamics between PM, design, and engineering What to do if you’re on a feature team or lack a strong product leader How to future-proof your PM role –Relevant SVPG Content on AI and Product: A Vision For Product Teams: https://www.svpg.com/a-vision-for-product-teams/AI Product Management 2 Years In: https://www.svpg.com/ai-product-management-2-years-in/Coaching AI – The Impact on Product Teams (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SEoYfq6w2EbiQ9LUnNWSB?si=4ca3358af34a4c52Creating Intelligent Products: https://www.svpg.com/creating-intelligent-products/Disruption and Denial: https://www.svpg.com/disruption-and-denial/INSPIRED in the Generative AI Era: https://www.svpg.com/inspired-in-the-generative-ai-era/Product, Design and AI: https://www.svpg.com/product-design-and-ai/Team Autonomy and AI: https://www.svpg.com/team-autonomy-and-ai/The Era of the Product Creator: https://www.svpg.com/the-era-of-the-product-creator/–References:Coaching Product Sense (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xBsFO7zrZPD4Cj0GdgDuA?si=4df04f177f0c4fe8The Four Big Risks by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/four-big-risks/Product Risk Taxonomy by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-risk-taxonomies/–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/–Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(00:35) Why AI makes PM more important and complicated(03:50) Feasibility risks in AI products(06:29) How collaboration with tech leads is changing(08:16) New dynamics between PM, design, and engineering (11:08) Emerging design patterns(13:08) Who owns trust in AI products?(14:14) Value risk and the AI label rush(17:26) How to win customers in a crowded market(20:21)  Viability risks(22:26) Regulatory compliance challenges(26:00) The skill that future-proofs your PM role(28:01) How to build product sense without a strong product leader(29:36) What to do if you’re a PM within a feature team(31:05) Closing thoughts(31:44) Where to learn more from SVPG–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 continues his conversation with SVPG partner Chris Jones about widespread product myths. They explain the flawed assumptions behind 5 common myths, and share what effective teams understand and do differently. –Today’s discussion unpacks:How process-driven discovery can become a crutchCommon mistakes when structuring product teamsThe limits of iterationWhy great product teams don’t treat go-to-market as someone else’s jobThe truth (and myth) behind the phrase “PMs are the CEO of their product”–Part 1 of this conversation: Coaching Product Myths (Part 1): https://youtu.be/ICpaylkLH1k–References:CEO of the Product Revisited by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/ceo-product-revisited/Discovery – Judgement by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/discovery-judgement/Planning Product Discovery by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/planning-product-discovery/The Four Big Risks by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/four-big-risks/–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 Chris Jones:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/–Timestamps (will be updated) (00:00) Intro(00:35) Myth #1: Product discovery will give us the answer(08:13) Myth #2: We need to iterate solutions until they succeed(10:17) Myth #3: Product managers need product owner(17:40) Myth #4: If you build it they will come(22:06) Myth #5 PMs are the CEO of their product(26:05) Where to learn more from SVPG–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

Christian Idiodi sits down with executive coach and author Kate Leto to discuss how psychological safety drives high-performing product teams. Through concrete examples, they demystify the concept and show how deliberate acts of trust, candor, and shared accountability unlock real-world results.–Today’s discussion unpacks:What psychological safety is and why it mattersSigns your team does or does not have psychological safetyThe relationship between psychological safety, trust, and accountabilityCommon misconceptions around this topicTactical advice for leaders and team members–References:Emotional Self Control Probably Doesn’t Mean What You Think: https://www.kateleto.com/articles/emotional-self-control-probably-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-but-its-an-essential-skill-for-leadersGoogle’s Project Aristotle: https://psychsafety.com/googles-project-aristotle/Hiring Product Managers: Using Product EQ to Go Beyond Culture and Skills: https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-Product-Managers-beyond-culture/dp/B09RFYCGL9Self-Awareness Revisited: https://www.kateleto.com/articles/what-the-heck-is-self-awareness-and-why-should-you-care-part-2What is Self-Awareness and Why Should You Care? https://www.kateleto.com/articles/what-is-self-awarenessWhat People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety: https://hbr.org/2025/05/what-people-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety–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 Kate Leto:Books and insights: https://www.kateleto.com/books-and-insightsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateleto/Website: https://www.kateleto.com/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:42) What is psychological safety(02:11) Why psychological safety matters in work environments(03:16) How psychological safety enables diverse perspectives(05:12) Google's research on high-performing teams(06:13) Differentiating trust from psychological safety(08:04) Diagnosing the root cause of low psychological safety(10:48) How leaders can create psychological safety(13:04) Overcoming the hero complex as a leader(16:23) How leaders can share ideas without creating directive(17:31) Achieving psychological safety and accountability(19:22) Can you have too much psychological safety?(23:29) How teams can create psychological safety(27:00) Modeling vulnerability authentically as a leader(29:27) Closing thoughts and key takeaways–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 sits down with SVPG partner Jon Moore to coach product visions. They define what product visions are, why they’re important, and practical steps for creating one for your team. Learn how to drive more clarity and direction by harnessing the power of product visions.–Today’s discussion unpacks:What a product vision isExamples of great product visionsThe ingredients of a great product visionHow to balance inspiration and realismWhat to do if your org lacks a product vision or has too many–SVPG blog posts relating to product visions: Product Vision Examples: https://www.svpg.com/examples/Product Vision FAQ: https://www.svpg.com/product-vision-faq/Product Vision vs. Mission: https://www.svpg.com/product-vision-vs-mission/The Power of Visiontypes: https://www.svpg.com/the-power-of-visiontypes/Vision vs. Strategy: https://www.svpg.com/vision-vs-strategy/–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 Jon Moore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathonmoore/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:39) What is a product vision?(05:05) Common misconceptions when it comes to product visions(08:42) Who should own product vision?(10:11) Is it okay to have multiple visions?(12:28) The ingredients of a great product vision(14:42) Balancing inspiration and realism(21:49) How to assess the quality of a product vision(24:31) What to do if your company lacks a vision(28:18) It's not a vision if no one knows about it(34:44) Examples of great product visions(37:20) Resources for getting better at vision(38:52) Where to learn more from SVPG–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 sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to explore how AI is changing product teams. They dive into the relevant context from tech history, what they’re seeing in the industry today, and where they think things could go next.–Today’s discussion unpacks:How AI could slash delivery workload and shrink team headcountProduct skills that are growing in importanceThe challenges AI won’t solveHow product management, engineering, and design are changingMarty’s biggest hopes and concerns for the future–References:AI Engineering by Chip Huyen: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/ai-engineering/9781098166298/The End of Programming as We Know It by Tim O’Reilly: https://www.oreilly.com/radar/the-end-of-programming-as-we-know-it/–SVPG blog posts on AI and Product:A Vision For Product Teams by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/a-vision-for-product-teams/AI Product Management 2 Years In: https://www.svpg.com/ai-product-management-2-years-in/INSPIRED in the Generative AI Era by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/inspired-in-the-generative-ai-era/Product, Design and AI by Marty Cagan and Bob Baxley: https://www.svpg.com/product-design-and-ai/Team Autonomy and AI by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/team-autonomy-and-ai/–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/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:17) Some caveats(05:42) How AI will impact product’s four key challenges(11:36) Discovery vs delivery: How AI flips the balance(15:03) Why product management will become more difficult and more essential(20:37) New must-have skills(25:50) The role of design(28:37) How AI changes product leadership(32:07) Remote work: Can AI tools rebuild collaboration & trust?(37:45) What excites and worries Marty about AI’s impact(42:28) Direct advice for product leaders(44:00) Where to learn more from SVPG–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

In this episode, Christian Idiodi welcomes back SVPG partner Martina Lauchengco to coach decision making. They break down what good decision making looks like in empowered teams and common mistakes that hold people back. Learn how to harness data, gut instinct, and contextual information to make better decisions.–Today’s discussion unpacks:The role of gut instinctWhere AI can and can’t aid decision making Being data-informed, not data-driven The shortcomings of decision frameworks The link between strategy, priorities, and decisions –References:Product Sense Demystified by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-sense/Amazon's “Disagree and Commit” principle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtjBkf8qDW4&ab_channel=InsideAmazonGarbage Can Model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_can_model Consensus vs Collaboration by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/consensus-vs-collaboration/ –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 Martina Lauchengco:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinalauchengco/–Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:29)  What defines a "good decision"?(05:50) The role of frameworks in decision making (07:45) Collaboration vs consensus(15:37) The role of gut feel(22:04) How to identify dogmatic or stubborn thinking(25:06)  Why you shouldn't delegate decision making to AI(29:27) The link between strategy, priorities, and decisions (31:53) Where to learn more from SVPG –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 is joined by SVPG partner Lea Hickman to break down what it really takes for organizations to navigate change effectively. From shifting mindsets to avoiding common leadership traps, this conversation dives into the human side of transformation—and how to lead through it.–Today’s discussion unpacks:Why change is about mindset not just process The biggest anti-pattern in change management How to decide between incremental change and a “big bang” approachWhat makes change so hard (and how to make it easier)The key role of trust, communication, and proving early success–References:Start with Why by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447–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/–Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Where to find Lea Hickman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/–Timestamps (00:00) Intro(00:33) Why change is hard(04:59) The biggest anti-pattern in change management(06:35) Big bang vs. incremental change(10:45) Harnessing the "why" behind change(14:40) How to build a compelling case for change(17:27) The silent resistance of middle management(18:41) The power of pilot teams(22:46) Measuring success of organizational change(24:56) Advice for individual contributors reacting to change(28:48) How leaders can catalyze change(30:09) 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 sits down with SVPG partner Chris Jones to unpack some of the most misunderstood ideas in product. Learn how to move beyond surface-level thinking and refine the mindsets, dynamics, and team structures required for exceptional product work.–Today’s discussion unpacks:Why the best product ideas often come from engineersWhat people get wrong about the role of designThe hidden cost of hiring for domain expertiseWhy product managers shouldn’t give customers exactly what they ask forWhat “true collaboration” looks like in great product teams–References:Shreyas Doshi on domain dogma–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 Chris Jones:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/–Timestamps:(00:00) Why product managers shouldn’t own the “what” alone(03:40) True collaboration starts in the “huddle”(06:08) Why the best product ideas often come from engineers(07:35) Debunking the “design is downstream” myth(09:55) Design as a discovery role(13:07) Why domain expertise can lead to domain dogma(15:57) Learning the domain on the job(18:46) Why customers don’t always know what they want(22:10) Managing feature requests and “specials”–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 sits down with author and leadership coach Kate Leto to explore the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) in product management. They break down the critical human skills that set great product practitioners apart, and share tactics and strategies to develop them.–Today’s discussion unpacks:The four key competencies of EQHow high EQ accelerates a product careerSigns of weak EQThe critical “inner and outer games”Building EQ using the “self-awareness trilogy”Why EQ matters more than ever in the age of AI–References:Dr Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the BrainEmotional Self Control Probably Doesn't Mean What You ThinkEmpathy is (an important) Part of Your Job as a Product LeaderHiring Product Managers: Using EQ to go beyond culture and skillWhat People (Still) Get Wrong About Emotional IntelligenceWhat Got You Here Won’t Get You ThereWhat is Emotional Intelligence?Why Emotional Intelligence Is Important in Leadership-Where to find SVPG:SVPG’s Newest Book: TRANSFORMEDMore SVPG Books & Resources: Books | Articles | Workshops | Videos–Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/–Where to find Kate Leto:Books & insights: https://www.kateleto.com/books-and-insightsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateleto/–Timestamps:(00:44) The four key competencies of EQ(04:18) Signs of weak EQ(08:01) Starting with self-awareness(10:33) Managing emotions in the workplace(14:28) The role of empathy in leadership(17:03) The link between EQ and influence(21:19) A simple daily reflection tactic(24:18) How to use “trusted critics” for growth(25:24) The value of observational feedback(27:28) Why you need “growth partners”(29:10) Why high EQ gives you an edge in the AI era(31:37) 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 welcomes back Martina Lauchengco, partner at SVPG and author of “Loved”, to explore the realities of startups. They discuss common challenges and key lessons for startup founders, employees, and investors. Whether you're considering launching your own company or evaluating a job opportunity, this episode offers valuable guidance on understanding and navigating startups.-Today’s discussion unpacks: What startup success requires (far beyond a good idea)Cultural differences between startups and enterprisesHow to tell if you’re truly ready to start a companyHow to assess if a startup is worth joiningThe pros and cons of startup life-References:Costanoa Ventures: https://costanoa.vc/MARKET Product Fit: Part 2 by Martina Lauchengco and Jim Wilson: https://costanoa.vc/market-product-fit-part-2/PMF is dead… it’s MARKET Product Fit by Martina Lauchengco and Jim Wilson: https://costanoa.vc/product-market-fit-pmf-is-dead-for-early-stage-startups-its-market-product-fit/-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 Martina Lauchengco:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinalauchengco/-Timestamps:(00:51) Signs you should start your own company(2:26) A good idea is not enough (3:44) How to assess if you’re ready to work in startups (06:31) The extremely high quality bar for new products (09:44) Some traits of great founders(12:25) Finding the right co-founder(14:27) The first steps to take in a startup(16:48) What startups should focus on (18:29) What's scary about startups(20:44) The upsides of startup life(22:01) What to look for in startup hire #1(23:13) How to assess if a startup is worth joining (25:52) Startup culture vs enterprise culture(27:17) Leading indicators of startup success vs failure(29:30) 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, discuss remote collaboration. They deconstruct the challenges remote work poses and actionable advice for overcoming them.-Today’s discussion unpacks: Why remote collaboration is hard Common anti-patterns within remote teams The value of debate Why you should turn “self-view” off on video calls How to prioritize proximity between teams-References: Discovery When Working Remotely by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/discovery-when-working-remotely/-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/-Where to find Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/-Where to find Lea Hickman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/-Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:36) The advantages of co-location(04:03) Remote vs in-person tradeoffs(06:33) How to prioritize proximity between teams(10:22) The trap of false trust when working remotely(12:14) The problem with collaborating over artifacts(14:48) What collaboration really means(16:59) The best collaboration tool(19:54) The “always on” technique(25:39) The value of debate within teams(29:04) Collaborating across roles and functions(33:02) The relationship between team structure, accountability, and blame games(35:29) Incentivizing collaboration between leaders(38:38) 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 sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss transformation politics. They break down the delicate organizational dynamics that emerge during product transformations, and practical strategies for navigating them. - Today’s discussion unpacks: Common political dynamics within transformations The critical “results window” The role of champions and evangelists How to leverage pilot teams The behaviors that build vs lose trust - References: Pilot Teams by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/pilot-teams/ The CSPO Pathology by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/the-cspo-pathology/ Transformation as a Project by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-as-a-project/ Transformation Politics by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-politics/ - 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/ - 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 (00:32) Why Marty became interested in this topic (03:34) Common political dynamics within transformations (05:54) Who you need to win over (07:22) The power of pilot teams (14:11) Utilizing champions (18:08) Framing a transformation effort to the CEO (25:00) Setting expectations around outcomes (30:01) Where teams and leaders lose trust (35:49) Balancing short-term maintenance with longer-term innovation (38:45) The politics of picking problems (42:59) 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 swaps from interviewer to interviewee. He breaks down his approach to employee onboarding, prompted by fellow SVPG partner, Chris Jones. Learn about the hidden dynamics in every employee onboarding, and Christian’s day-by-day guide for navigating them. Whether you are actively onboarding talent or need to re-onboard existing staff, this episode will help you set your team up for success. - Today’s discussion unpacks: Why onboarding time is a rare and precious resource The hidden dynamics in every onboarding How to enable trust between new and existing team members A step-by-step guide to a new hire’s first weeks Christian’s favorite tactics from years of onboardings - References: Coaching Tools - The One on One by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-tools-the-one-on-one/ New Employee Bootcamp by Christian Idiodi: https://www.svpg.com/new-employee-bootcamp/ Social Comparison Theory: https://dictionary.apa.org/social-comparison-theory - 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/ - Where to find Christian Idiodi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/ - Where to find Chris Jones: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/ - Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:20) Why onboarding matters (03:13) Trust dynamics with new hires (06:57) Onboarding starts before day 1 (12:57) Framing onboarding (18:07) Onboarding in cohorts (21:44) Creating a safe initial environment (23:07) Week 1 (25:39) Week 2 (27:58) Onboarding to a remote team (31:32) Critical onboarding milestones (35:22)  The first paycheck (39:07) Creating public wins (41:14) 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 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: 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 - 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/ - 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/ - 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