Ep4 | Unlocking Success in Product Management | Mads Johnsen (LinkedIn/Uber/Calm/McKinsey)

This week, we’re speaking with Mads Johnsen, the former Chief Product Officer at Calm. In keeping with the spirit of Adventures in Growth, Mads charted his course to tech leadership via a non-traditional route, working as a software engineer at Nokia before obtaining his MBA at the Kellogg School of Management. After grad school, Mads worked as a consultant at McKinsey, and held product leadership roles at Linkedin and Uber before joining Calm. In this episode, we talk about the impact of AI, the tradeoffs between specializing and retaining professional optionality, PM archetypes, and hiring from non-tech backgrounds. Mads has incredible perspectives on professional development in product management and the future of the CPO role, and we’ll take a deep dive into how he has built and led high performing product teams.Subscribe for free to receive updates, insights, and adventure from the next generation of tech leaders at http://www.adventuresingrowth.....co/Timestamp:(0:00:0 - AI's Impact on Product ManagementMads shares insights on product teams, PM archetypes, AI, and the CPO role.(0:10:33) - Impact of Storytelling to Create Strong Product Visions and Building AlignmentMads provides strategies for leveraging storytelling and metaphors to create a strong product vision and building alignment.(0:15:57) - Successful Onboarding and Documentation StandardsMads shares advice on taking advantage of the first 90 days on the job as an executive to build and lead teams..(0:26:37) - Assessing Team Dynamics to Create High Performance TeamsMads talks about utilizing his skills to identify team members' mindsets and performance criteria and advice on building high performance teams, setting expectations, and succeeding in a new role.(0:34:06) - Product Management Skills and ArchetypesMads’ product management approach focuses on efficient documentation, communication, understanding domains, product archetypes, storytelling, and team success.
(0:44:13) - Career Specialization vs OptionalityMads emphasizes the tradeoffs between career specialization and optionality, diversity of experience, and learning new skills.
(0:52:11) - Product LeadershipMads discusses inspection, feedback, product reviews, and rewards to ensure high performance and bridge the gap between product and commercial outcomes.
(1:02:43) - Quick fire questionsWe ask Mads our set of quick fire questions about leadership and he shares networking, growth mindset, and success measurement tips.
Contact Mads:https://madsjohnsen.com/
Mads’ Recommendation:Book - How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth, et al. Book - Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport Book - High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove 
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