Namrata (Nam) Sarmah, Chief Product and Technology Officer, and the Founder of Women in Product, UK and CPO Track Communities discusses her career journey and the importance of building great products and strong teams. She emphasizes the need for products that solve real human problems and shares her experience with TransferWise as an example. Nam also highlights the value of building communities and the changing dynamics of leadership in the digital age. She recommends books like 'Ride of a Lifetime' by Bob Iger and 'Discover Your True North' by Bill George for leadership insights.
Chapters/Timestamps:
Introduction to Building Great Products (00:00:05)
Discussion on the Venturis mindset combining product thinking, adaptability, and engagement.
Guest Introduction (00:00:37)
Namrata Sarmah introduced as a diverse expert in product management and community building.
Namrata's Career Journey (00:02:06)
Nam shares her transition from engineering to product management and her educational background.
Early Career Experiences (00:03:39)
Nam recounts her formative years at Wipro and her early career opportunities in Boston.
Transition to Product Management (00:04:55)
Nam discusses her shift to product management during its nascent stages in the UK.
Defining a Great Product (00:08:30)
Nam explains that a great product solves real human problems, using TransferWise as an example.
User Experience Importance (00:11:59)
Discussion on user experience and its critical role in product design and community building.
AI and Human Skills (00:14:24)
Nam emphasizes the growing importance of human skills in an AI-driven world and community relevance.
Corporate Culture Changes (00:16:16)
Nam reflects on the decline of corporate culture post-COVID and the need for community connections.
Building Relationships in Communities (00:18:12)
Nam highlights the importance of relationships in professional communities for personal and business growth.
Creating a Culture of Leadership (20:06)
Discussion on the importance of hands-on leadership in building a strong community and product.
Hyperscale vs. Organic Growth (20:30)
The advantages of scaling a product organically versus hyperscaling with a large team.
Leadership Philosophy and Values (22:06)
Exploration of the Venturis mindset emphasizing focus, adaptability, and engagement in leadership.
The Reality of Leadership Quality (23:08)
Commentary on the prevalence of poor leadership and the ease of becoming a good leader.
Impact of COVID on Leadership Dynamics (24:02)
How the pandemic transformed corporate relationships and communication methods.
Generational Expectations in Leadership (26:01)
Discussion on how different generations, especially Gen Z, have unique leadership expectations.
Balancing Technology and Product Management (27:59)
Insights on managing the intersection of technology and product delivery effectively.
The Importance of Skills in Leadership Roles (29:53)
The necessity of having the right skills for leadership roles in today’s market dynamics.
Influential Leadership Books (32:24)
Recommendations for impactful books on leadership, including insights from personal experiences.
Using Adversity for Growth (35:50)
Discussion on how personal challenges can shape effective leadership and resilience.
