Best Ashok Sivanand Podcasts (2025)

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Turning Trash into Tech: The Garbage Company Using AI to Save Millions with Ryan Collins 1:26:53

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3d ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Ryan Collins calls himself a garbage man, but he's also the Managing Director at Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD), a third-generation waste collection and recycling company in Northern California. After a stint in Silicon Valley, he came back to join the family business and walked into a world still powered by slide rulers, highlighters, and pa…

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Building Global Culture for Purpose and Profit: Lessons from Scaling Twitter with Maya Hari 1:21:16

17d ago1:21:16

1:21:16

In this episode, Ashok is joined by Maya Hari, global executive, board member, and now co-founder of Genie Health. Maya has led teams across Twitter, Google, Samsung, and other global companies, and now sits on the boards of public enterprises like Saint-Gobain. What makes her perspective rare isn't just her resume. It's her clarity around what cul…

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Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make in AI & Data Strategy, And How to Fix Them with David Cohen 58:43

24d ago58:43

58:43

Leaders are under pressure to "do something with AI," but many end up making the same preventable mistakes that derail their data strategy before it starts. In this episode, Ashok sits down with David Cohen, founder of Superposition Strategy, to run a live workshop identifying the top five strategic missteps leaders make—and more importantly, how t…

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De-risking AI-enabled Business Models with Lean Thinking 13:49

1M ago13:49

13:49

In this episode, Ashok shares a story from a long established services company with a big vision for transformation. The leadership team set their sights on launching a new AI enabled membership business. The original plan involved technology, acquisitions, and a long wait before revenue or even a customer touchpoint. Instead of waiting nine months…

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Preparing Your Company for AI: Cultural Values and Principles You NEED Before You Make Big Changes 27:46

2M ago27:46

27:46

Learn the best culture secrets from top tech companies! Guest Farhan Thawar of Shopify shares powerful principles—from "Responsibility vs. Accountability" to "Subtraction"—that CEOs in any industry can use to build elite teams. You've heard the AI hype, but what about the culture that builds it or integrates it well? Successful tech companies run o…

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How Shopify Stays on the Bleeding Edge: AI, Culture, and Operating Like You'll Be Relevant in 20 Years (with Head of Engineering, Farhan Thawar) 1:06:55

2M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

In this episode of Convergence.fm, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, to go behind the scenes of how Shopify not only keeps pace with rapid change but leads it. The discussion explores how Shopify became one of the first platforms to allow merchants to sell products directly inside ChatGPT, why that move ch…

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Your AI Vibe Coding Side Project: Hobby or High-Growth Business? (5 Tests) 21:56

2M ago21:56

21:56

AI-powered "vibe coding" makes it easier than ever to turn your imagination into a working app, but are you building a fun hobby or a viable business? The line is blurring, and many creators are confusing the joy of building with the traction needed for a real startup. This episode provides a framework to help you distinguish between a passion proj…

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AI Strategy That Actually Works: From Startup to Spotify to Search Fund with Tommy Högström 1:09:48

2M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

AI strategist Tommy Högström, who has guided giants like Spotify, H&M, and McDonald's, reveals the truth about implementing AI, scaling product teams, and the entrepreneurial journey. From founding his own AI consultancy in Sweden to leading financial forecasting at Spotify and now launching a search fund to acquire a software business, Tommy offer…

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Fix Your Broken Delivery Engine: A Case Study in AI Creativity, Agile and Vendor Management 16:30

3M ago16:30

16:30

A company spends $10M over two years on a critical software product, but after firing one vendor and hiring a second, they still have nothing to show for it. This case study details the 5-step action plan used to rescue a failing project, restore internal credibility, and get product delivery back on track. From revamping the product roadmap and re…

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AI Governance, Product-Market Fit & the Founder Mindset — John Rood on Building, Exiting & Starting Again 1:09:25

3M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

From testing markets with a simple Google ads landing page to scaling a multi-million dollar education business, John Rood has learned what it takes to build, exit, and start again. In this episode, John shares the lessons that shaped his journey: the importance of hiring specialists at the right time, why EOS was transformational for scaling, and …

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Avoiding the Tech Trap: How Two Founders Saved Their Failing AI Transformation 18:29

3M ago18:29

18:29

A successful business with two aligned co-founders is transforming into a software and AI-enabled company, but after years of development, they aren't getting closer to launching a valuable product…what's the solution? In this episode, learn how the founders' greatest strength—their ability to delegate—became a blind spot that nearly derailed their…

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How to Lead a Tech Overhaul Without a Tech Team with Andrew Stein, Children's Foundation 54:33

3M ago54:33

54:33

When Andrew Stein stepped into the CEO role at the Children's Foundation, he inherited a bloated tech stack, misaligned systems, and a looming CRM renewal with a steep price hike. With no in-house tech experts and only 15 staff, Andrew faced a critical decision point: how to make a smart technology pivot without draining his team's energy—or the or…

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Best of Convergence: 9 Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Team 44:09

3M ago44:09

44:09

Strong teams and transformed product practices drive growth. In order to drive outcomes using software and build great product teams, you need to drive speed to value and adapt quickly. The problem is, technology teams and business teams are often disjointed and lack clarity around each other's "why." Unlock the full potential of your product team …

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Best of Convergence: Building Customer-Centric Teams: Josh Seiden on OKRs and Agile 1:10:19

4M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

In this episode, Ashok sits down with Josh Seiden, author and product management expert, to explore key insights from Josh's latest book, "Who Does What by How Much." The conversation centers around using OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to align teams and improve organizational outcomes. They examine the challenges many teams face when implementi…

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Best of Convergence: How Generative AI and DORA Metrics Transform Software Development Teams with Derek Ferguson 49:24

4M ago49:24

49:24

Derek Ferguson from The Fitch Group returns to share how his team of 600+ developers leverages generative AI tools like Amazon's CodeWhisperer and implements DORA metrics to boost productivity and team health. In this second part of the conversation, he delves into the transformative impact of these tools and the innovative strategies driving adopt…

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Best Of Convergence: Crafting "Surprisingly Great" Developer Experiences with Kenneth Auchenberg 37:30

4M ago37:30

37:30

Great developer experience isn't just about clean docs or helpful error messages—it's about intentionally delighting your user at every step. In this episode of Convergence.fm, host Ashok Sivanand is joined by Kenneth Auchenberg—former product leader at Microsoft and Stripe—for a masterclass on what it really takes to design and scale developer-cen…

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Best Of Convergence: How To Drive Product Development and Market Expansion with Ben Foster, Prodify 41:01

4M ago41:01

41:01

As former Chief Product Officer at Whoop, Ben Foster had a front-row seat to one of the boldest product decisions in wearables: selling hardware as a subscription. In this encore episode, Ashok and Ben explore what it takes to align hardware, firmware, and software teams to create a seamless membership experience—and how that strategy set the stage…

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Q&A: No One Understands Your Demo? Here's WHY | TDD Isn't Just for CODE — Use It Everywhere! 1:04:37

4M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

If you've ever wondered how to make test-driven development more than a coding technique, this episode is for you. Ashok Sivanand and producer Doug Branson answer listener and Reddit-sourced questions about building better product teams—covering everything from mindset shifts to hard truths about performance reviews and strategic alignment. Ashok c…

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The Dangers of Vibe Coding Addiction and Single Points of Failure - Your Product Team Questions Answered! 23:12

5M ago23:12

23:12

What happens when your lead engineer leaves and takes the product knowledge with them? In this episode, Ashok Sivanand tackles some of the most pressing product and engineering questions straight from the community—including how to prevent panic-inducing knowledge loss, when founders should or shouldn't vibe code, and how to choose between building…

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The Missing Link in Hybrid Teams? A Sense of Belonging.Why It's More Strategic Than DEI 1:19:25

5M ago1:19:25

1:19:25

Dan Berger led Social Tables through a $100M exit and now he's focused on something even harder to build: belonging. In this vulnerable conversation, he shares what most leaders miss about culture, how his board almost ousted him due to a toxic exec hire, and why belonging should be treated as a leadership choice — not an HR initiative. He also unp…

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Authenticity by Design: Building Mental Health Tools That Actually Work with Seth Micarelli of Volo Health 1:14:13

5M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

AI can make therapy more accessible—but only if it's done right. In this episode, ex-Google and Amazon product leader Seth shares his journey from panic attacks to building Volo Health, an AI-powered tool for anxiety, depression, and addiction. He breaks down how most therapy tools get it wrong, what makes human-centered AI actually safe, and how p…

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Startups Are Nailing Agentic Workflows — And Why Enterprises Aren't 1:07:03

5M ago1:07:03

1:07:03

Karthik Suresh has seen the software industry from all sides — high-frequency trading, Meta's product teams, early-stage startup trenches, and now the frontier of AI agents. As co-founder of Double-O, he's building a platform that helps non-technical teams automate complex business processes using AI agents described in plain English. In this episo…

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Scaling Intelligently: What Intrapreneurs Can Teach Startup CEOs and Investors with Scott Jones, Realeyes 1:24:01

6M ago1:24:01

1:24:01

Some of the biggest product breakthroughs didn't come from startups — they came from intrapreneurs. In this episode, we speak with Scott Jones, a career intrapreneur who has launched new lines of business at Lenovo, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Realeyes, a computer vision AI company serving some of the world's most influential platforms. Scott s…

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Designing for Conflict: How Joshua Graves Builds Better Teams and Products 58:45

6M ago58:45

58:45

Joshua Graves, founder of Lost Horse Labs and author of We Need to Talk, joins the show to unpack what happens when product leaders ignore hard conversations — and what it takes to build an environment where teams can truly thrive. Drawing from two decades in product design, civic tech, and leadership coaching, Joshua brings practical, deeply human…

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Why Most Product Teams FAIL to Grow: Jayson Robinson on High-Agency PMs & Real Impact 1:07:47

6M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Most PMs still think velocity = impact. They're wrong. If no one on your team owns adoption, retention, or revenue—then growth isn't anyone's job. Jayson Robinson joins Convergence.fm to unpack why most product teams are built to ship—but not to grow. From leading growth at Toptal and BairesDev to advising SaaS companies and launching enterprise pr…

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Malware by Prompt: How Vibe Coding and AI Assistants Can Compromise Your Codebase 24:45

7M ago24:45

24:45

Large language models are helping developers move faster than ever. But behind the convenience of AI-generated code lies a security vulnerability: package hallucinations. In this episode, Ashok sits down with U.S. Army cybersecurity officer and PhD researcher Joe Spracklen to unpack new research on how hallucinated package names—fake libraries that…

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How Mission-Driven Organizations Maximize Impact with Limited Resources with Jason Fraser 1:20:38

7M ago1:20:38

1:20:38

Most companies have a mission statement. But few are truly mission-driven in practice. In this episode, Jason Fraser joins Ashok to unpack what it actually means to prioritize mission over profit — and how the best organizations are able to do both. Jason reflects on the differences between performative mission language and the kind of operational …

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AI-Driven Development: Driving adoption on your product teams, Team Culture, and AI-Native Engineering Practices 44:22

7M ago44:22

44:22

How do you move from dabbling with AI and vibe coding to building real, production-grade software with it? In this episode, Austin Vance, CEO of Focused returns and we transition the conversation from building AI-enabled applications to fostering AI-native engineering teams. Austin shares how generative AI isn't just a shortcut—it's reshaping how w…

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Building Agentic Apps With Craft: Field Stories from Austin Vance, CEO, Co-Founder of Focused 56:49

7M ago56:49

56:49

What does it actually take to build agentic AI applications that hold up in the real world? In this episode, Ashok sits down with Austin, founder of Focused, to share field stories and hard-won lessons from building AI systems that go beyond flashy demos. From legal assistants to government transparency tools, Austin breaks down the concrete criter…

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The Power of Small Data With High Signal - A Jobs To Be Done Masterclass with Andrew Glaser 1:14:48

8M ago1:14:48

1:14:48

What do candy bars, couches, and car dealerships have in common? For Andrew Glaser, they're all opportunities to understand how real people make decisions — and why most product teams get those decisions wrong. In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from hedge fund manager to product strategist, and now founder of Swizzle, an AI product built a…

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Taking Control: How One Exec Team Reclaimed Their Tech Strategy 10:56

8M ago10:56

10:56

A frustrated CEO, a legacy system no one liked, and a looming contract deadline — this episode unpacks the story of how one team broke out of vendor-driven inertia and took back control of their tech strategy. What started as confusion and friction turned into clarity and confidence, all through the power of intentional facilitation and a tightly s…

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Shopify's LEAKED AI Mandate Explained — 6 Takeaways for Your Product Team 17:37

8M ago17:37

17:37

When Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke issued an internal memo calling AI a "baseline skill," it sent rippiles across the industry. In this solo episode, we break down what the AI mandate actually says, why it's happening now, and how teams can apply the same principles to drive smarter, faster product development. Whether you're skeptical or inspired by the …

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Most People Problems Are Leadership Problems – Sel Watts on Building Teams That Work 1:01:05

8M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

What if the real reason your team isn't thriving isn't them—it's you? In this episode, Ashok sits down with Sel Watts, founder of Wattsnext and a trusted advisor to growth-stage executives, to talk about the blind spots that derail team performance. Sel shares why leaders often overengineer HR systems while neglecting the basic needs of their peopl…

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The Science of Happiness at Work: How Brain Chemistry Impacts Agile Teams 1:13:10

9M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

What if the key to building better teams and products is hidden in our brain chemistry? In this episode, Brad Nelson joins us to break down the neuroscience behind motivation, happiness, and productivity—especially for Agile teams. From dopamine and serotonin to stress hormones like cortisol, we explore how brain science can inform leadership, team…

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Building Platforms Developers Love: Lessons from Stripe, GitHub, and Netflix 24:43

9M ago24:43

24:43

Some of the most successful technology companies—like AWS, Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub—have built platforms that developers don't just use but genuinely love. So, what sets these platforms apart from those that developers avoid? In this episode, we break down three key trends that make a platform indispensable: deep customer empathy, an iterative ap…

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The Key to High-Performing Platforms: Product Thinking & Developer Centricity with GM Financial's Henri van den Bulk 1:03:59

9M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Building effective platforms and structuring teams for success is no small feat, especially in large enterprises. Henri van den Bulk joins the show to break down the intersection of platform architecture and team topologies, sharing insights on how organizations can create systems that enable innovation without introducing unnecessary friction. He …

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Delegate Effectively and Safely to AI - As an Expert Consultant or a Dutiful Intern 53:23

9M ago53:23

53:23

Most people are barely scratching the surface of what generative AI can do. While some fear it will replace their jobs, others dismiss it as a passing trend—but both extremes miss the point. In this episode, Ashok Sivanand breaks down the real opportunity AI presents: not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a powerful tool that can act as b…

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Experimenting with AI to Ship More Valuable Products with Mike Gehard 1:41:00

10M ago1:41:00

1:41:00

Artificial intelligence is radically transforming software development. AI-assisted coding tools are generating billions in investment, promising faster development cycles, and shifting engineering roles from code authors to code editors. But how does this impact software quality, security, and team dynamics? How can product teams embrace AI withou…

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Season 2 Announcement + REPLAY: Farhan Thawar, VP of Engineering at Shopify, on Culture, Leadership and Leveraging A.I. to Ship Better Software 48:05

10M ago48:05

48:05

As we put the final touches on our Season 2 premiere with Mike Gabbard, we're bringing you a replay of our conversation with Farhan Thawar, VP of Engineering at Shopify. Shopify has been a power user of AI coding assistants, gaining early access to GitHub Copilot before its general release. This episode is packed with insights on Shopify's culture,…

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Best of 2024: Mastering Intentional Leadership and Building a Winning Culture in Product Teams 1:26:53

10M ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Discover the strategies and stories behind the most innovative product teams of 2024, where intentional leadership and a vibrant culture are the foundations of success. This special episode features insights from renowned tech leaders and product visionaries, including Ben Foster, co-founder of Prodigy Group and former Chief Product Officer at a le…

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Best of 2024 - Derisking and Evolving on your OKR (Objectives and Key Results) Implementation 53:48

11M ago53:48

53:48

From Intel's engineering labs to Silicon Valley's unicorns, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) have transformed how tech companies translate vision into measurable outcomes. But what separates successful OKR implementations from failed experiments? And how can technology leaders avoid the common pitfalls that derail even well-intentioned rollouts? I…

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Best of 2024: Top Insights on Developer Tools, APIs, SDKs, and Creating Exceptional DevX 45:38

11M ago45:38

45:38

We compiled our favorite clips on developer tools and developer experience (DevX). We discuss why DevX has become essential for developer-focused companies and how it drives adoption to grow your product. Learn what makes developers a unique and discerning customer base, and hear practical strategies for designing exceptional tools and platforms. O…

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The Future of AI in Production: Our Best Advice for Entrepreneurs and Developers 41:27

12M ago41:27

41:27

Generative AI has transformed industries in 2024, and this compilation episode captures the best insights from our standout guests of 2024. From groundbreaking advancements in AI technology to practical advice for navigating ethical and operational challenges, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, developers, and product leaders. Learn h…

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DevOps Demystified: SLA, SLO, and Continuous Delivery Explained with Xing Zhou, Ford Credit 40:09

12M ago40:09

40:09

How can teams unlock elite productivity while navigating the complexities of DevOps? Expert consultant Xing Zhou reveals how DORA metrics—from deployment frequency to change failure rate, drive performance and bridge gaps between leadership and the team members. Xing's impressive career spans companies like Amazon, Pivotal Labs, and Integral. He cu…

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How Generative AI and DORA Metrics Transform Software Development Teams 48:02

12M ago48:02

48:02

Derek Ferguson from The Fitch Group returns to share how his team of 600+ developers leverages generative AI tools like Amazon's CodeWhisperer and implements DORA metrics to boost productivity and team health. In this second part of the conversation, he delves into the transformative impact of these tools and the innovative strategies driving adopt…

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Disciplined Creativity: Lessons from Leading Product Teams with Derek Ferguson, CSO, Fitch Group Inc. 21:46

1y ago21:46

21:46

In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok welcomes Derek Ferguson, Chief Software Officer at Fitch Group, for the first of a two-part series. Derek shares how his unique blend of a music background and decades in product leadership have shaped his approach to leading high-performing software teams. From his insights on disciplined creativit…

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Transforming Customer Products and Services From Cost Centers to Profit Centers with Generative A.I. 38:25

1y ago38:25

38:25

This episode of the Convergence Podcast takes an in-depth look at the transformative journey of Doug Kramon, a leader in customer-centric innovation at ESPN Disney. Building on last week's exploration of his ethnographic approach to customer care, Doug dives into the groundbreaking technologies and strategies his team uses to enhance fan loyalty an…

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Empathy in Action: Douglas Kramon on Leading ESPN's Fan Support 25:24

1y ago25:24

25:24

ESPN's Head of Customer Care, Douglas Kramon, shares his unique journey from studying Native American archeology to leading fan engagement for one of the most recognized brands in sports entertainment. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Doug delves into how his ethnology background shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing the valu…

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7/9 Critical Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Team: Assumptions Part 2 25:54

1y ago25:54

25:54

In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok Sivanand and guest Bailey O'Shea, Director of Product of Management at TransImpact, dive into the critical topic of assumption-based planning for product teams. Bailey shares her insights on why challenging assumptions and embracing an iterative, assumption-driven approach can drive product success …

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7/9 Critical Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Team: What are the biggest assumptions we're making? PART 1 26:23

1y ago26:23

26:23

Bailey O'Shea joins host Ashok Sivanand for the 7th of 9 Critical Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Product Team: What are the biggest assumptions we're making? In this first episode of a two-part examination of this conversation, Ashok and Bailey uncover how unspoken assumptions shape product decisions and drive team behaviors in wa…