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
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27:00
Coaching Emotional Intelligence
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
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32:22
Coaching Startups
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
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30:56
Coaching Remote Collaboration
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
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39:50
Coaching Transformation Politics
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.
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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
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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/
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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
(00:32) 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
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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.
Ireland