Bounce – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Mollie and Claire interview Rachel Lindsay, an experienced tech recruiter. The discussion covers various aspects of the current tech job market, the role of recruiters in the hiring process, how they evaluate candidates, and advice for job seekers as they navigate their job search.

Show Notes

(02:50) - Rachel's Background in Tech Recruiting

(05:46) - Current Tech Job Market Landscape

- Increased competitiveness in tech recruiting

- Challenges in finding candidates with specific expertise

(08:11) - Recruiting Process and Challenges

- Importance of understanding roles being recruited for

- Balancing candidate volume with specific requirements

- Role of referrals in the hiring process

(15:47) - Entry-Level Hiring and Challenges

- Difficulties for entry-level candidates

- Importance of passion and communication skills

(23:30) - Candidate Behavior and Online Presence

- Impact of candidate attitudes during the hiring process

- Importance of professional online presence

(36:47) - Referrals and Networking

- Significance of referrals in hiring

- Advice on networking and getting referrals

(54:00) - Advice for Job Seekers

- Staying patient during job search

- Continuous learning and skill development

(58:15) - Advice for Companies and Recruiters

- Improving communication in the hiring process

- Streamlining interview processes

Summary

In this episode, Mollie and Claire discuss the emotional toll and challenges of being laid off or fired from a job. They share personal stories about their own experiences of being laid off, the self-doubt and negative thoughts that followed, and the process of finding new jobs. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining relationships with colleagues, as those connections can lead to future opportunities. They also provide advice on coping strategies, such as taking temporary jobs for financial stability, being positive during the job search, and not beating oneself up over circumstances beyond one's control. This episode aims to offer a candid discussion about the difficulties of job loss and the resilience required to bounce back.

Show notes

(00:53) - Getting Fired or Laid Off

Mollie and Claire discuss the emotional impact of being fired or laid off, sharing their personal experiences and the self-doubt and negative thoughts that followed.

(12:35) - Coping Strategies

They talk about strategies for coping with job loss, such as taking temporary jobs for financial stability, maintaining a positive mindset during the job search, and not beating oneself up over circumstances beyond one's control.

(27:17) - The Importance of Relationships

Mollie and Claire highlight the importance of maintaining relationships with colleagues, as those connections can lead to future opportunities and support during difficult times.

(39:10) - Advice and Reflections

They offer advice on how companies can handle layoffs more empathetically and transparently, and reflect on the lessons learned from their experiences of job loss and the resilience required to bounce back.

Description

This episode explores creative leadership techniques that drive outcomes as well as the pitfalls of survivorship bias in building a product. Kelsey Nichols discusses her unconventional path into product management and building a product way of thinking that focuses on failure patterns and how to adapt.

(0:05) - Introduction to the podcast and hosts

(0:57) - Welcome to Kelsey Nichols, CTO at Landing

(1:07) - Kelsey describes her career journey from PE teacher to engineer to product manager and back to engineering

(3:36) - Kelsey talks about her transition from engineering to product management

(8:14) - The benefits of having a diverse background in product development

(9:33) - The event that led Kelsey to focus more on the "why" of product development

(10:57) - Areas where product leaders might miss the mark according to Kelsey's experience on the engineering team

(13:19) - Challenges of integrating a new product team and common friction points

(14:36) - Building a product department from the ground up and how it's similar to building a product

(16:33) - Initial challenges and concerns about the success of the product department at Landing

(17:40) - Why looking at failures can be just as valuable as looking at successes (concept of survivorship bias)

(21:15) - The importance of embracing failure and creating a safe space for experimentation

(23:34) - Kelsey's experience as the longest-standing product leader at Landing (in jest)

(24:29) - The importance of creating a safe space for product development

(25:12) - The reality of failure and success rates in product development

(25:28) - Transitioning from Engineer to Product Leader

(28:34) - The Danger of Saying No in Product Management

(29:03) - Creative Strategies for Handling Feature Requests

(32:18) - Building Relationships with Stakeholders

(34:33) - The Importance of Business and Customer Focus

(36:09) - Problem-Solving as a Core Skill

(36:58) - The Value of Customer Research

(38:21) - Learning from Mistakes

In Episode 2 we welcome Joshua Butts, a seasoned product designer, with over nine years of experience in designing native mobile apps and desktop products.

Joshua provides valuable insights into the nuances of failure, the importance of managing expectations, and the practicalities of working in product design. His experiences underscore the complexity of balancing professional demands with personal well-being and the critical role of clear communication and collaboration in achieving success.

Episode Details:

(0:00) - Introduction

(1:02) - Hidden cost of failure

(3:00) - Failure is a privilege

(5:05) - Idealistic advice 

(9:17) - The difference between high and low-cost failure

(11:40) - The solo stove example

(14:50) - Misaligned expectations are a recipe for failure

(18:03) - The importance of working sessions

(20:33) - Experimentation can be a double-edged sword

(28:30) - Evaluating risks and A/B testing

(30:01) - Functionality over aesthetic

(32:30) - MVPs are a trigger word for Josh

(36:40) - Phase 2 of MVPs never happen

(37:45) - Building for the sake of building is a waste of time

(40:06) - Wrap Up - Lessons learned

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Bounce" with your hosts Claire Flowers and Mollie Cox! 

In this introductory episode, Claire and Mollie delve into the intricate relationship between designers and product managers, uncovering the nuances, challenges, and opportunities within this dynamic collaboration.

Drawing from their own experience on product teams, Claire and Mollie explore the symbiotic and sometimes difficult relationship between designers and product managers.

From where communication can fail and roles can conflict, to where both PMs and designers can improve or adjust. Clarie and Mollie even share their own “friction moments”, failures and “product traumas” as they dissect the messy and oftentimes stressful environments that product teams work in.

Join Claire and Mollie on the beginning of this thought-provoking journey as they unpack the industry – offering invaluable wisdom and actionable advice for professionals navigating this ever-evolving landscape. 

Episode Highlights:

(0:00) - Intro

(0:18) - Exploring the dynamics between product managers and product designers

(1:12) - Discussing the designers first

(4:57) - Designers being more timid

(7:04) - Designers stepping on your toes

(8:42) - Patterns that Mollie is noticing w/ PMs

(10:08) - “We never have time”

(15:18) - Different flavors of PMs

(19:03) - How can designers provide more clarity?

(21:55) - One of Claire’s “friction moments”

(24:03) - Who’s responsible for writing copy?

(29:54) - Mollie’s take on PM boundaries

(34:28) - Bad assumptions

(39:56) - Designers being the “afterthought”

(46:19) - Episode wrap-up

About the Hosts:

Claire Flowers is a Product Manager at Fleetio and brings 10+ years of management experience working with development and design teams.

Mollie Cox a Director of Product Design at Fleetio as well as a Professor at University of Nebraska for over a decade. Her mentorship covers a spectrum of disciplines from UX/UI Design to Portfolio Development, emphasizing design management and laying foundational skills for future designers.

Connect w/ Mollie Cox:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliecox/

Connect w/ Claire Flowers:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireflowers/

Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers take you on a journey through product team fails and flops and the lessons that carry you forward.

This episode features a discussion with Trevor Nielsen, a digital product designer. The conversation covers Trevor's career journey, how he transitioned from graphic design to product design, the differences between working at startups versus larger corporations, the risks and challenges associated with the startup world, and his recent experience of being laid off from a crypto startup.

Trevor shares insights on the importance of being open to new opportunities, the value of freelancing, and the potential benefits of having multiple income streams.

(01:11) - Breaking into Product Design

- Trevor shares his journey of transitioning from graphic design to product design, initially through a job opportunity within the same organization.

- He discusses the importance of being open to new opportunities and stepping out of one's comfort zone.

(04:13) - Startups vs. Large Company working dynamics

- Trevor compares his experiences working at startups versus larger corporations, highlighting the differences in team dynamics, processes, and the level of hands-on work.

(10:08) - Risks and Challenges in the Startup World

- The conversation shifts to the risks associated with the startup world, including the potential for failure and the importance of having a safety net or multiple income streams.

- Trevor shares his experience of being laid off from a crypto startup and the resilience required to navigate such situations.

(18:15) - Freelancing and Multiple Income Streams

- Trevor discusses his transition to freelancing and the benefits of having multiple income streams, including increased financial stability and the ability to bet on oneself.

- He shares insights on finding the right balance between the number of clients and maintaining quality work.

(29:37) - Celebrating Revenue Metrics and Supporting Others

- The hosts and Trevor discuss the trend of celebrating revenue metrics in the freelance community and the potential downsides of excessive self-promotion.

- They emphasize the importance of supporting others in the design community and sharing work with context.

(34:06) - Stop, Start, Continue

- Trevor shares his perspective on the 'start, stop, continue' framework, suggesting what practices the freelance community should start, stop, and continue.

In this episode, Mollie and Claire interview Sara Wachter-Boettcher, a leadership coach, speaker, and author who is the CEO of Active Voice, a company focused on creating bold leaders and better workplaces in design and tech. The conversation covers:

• Sara's career journey and transition from consulting to founding Active Voice
• The challenges faced by product teams and designers in balancing their values with business priorities
• The importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a sense of identity beyond one's job
• Fostering psychological safety within teams
• Advice for newcomers entering the tech industry amidst ongoing changes and uncertainties.

(01:08) - Guest Introduction

Sara is introduced as the guest, and her background as a leadership coach, speaker, author, and CEO of Active Voice is highlighted.

(02:17) - Sara's Career Journey

Sara shares her career journey, starting as a web writer, transitioning into content strategy and UX work, building a team at an agency, and eventually moving into consulting.

(04:09) - Founding Active Voice

Sara discusses the motivation behind founding Active Voice, stemming from her observations of people struggling to find their voice and power within organizations.

(06:31) - Work-Life Balance and Identity

The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the tendency to wrap one's identity around work, and the importance of separating personal identity from professional roles.

(10:23) - Navigating Gender Biases

Sara shares her experiences navigating gender biases in the workplace, the double standards women face in tech, and strategies for asserting oneself while maintaining authenticity.

(16:33) - Fostering Psychological Safety

The discussion focuses on fostering psychological safety within teams, the role of leaders in creating a safe environment for vulnerability, and the importance of open communication and setting boundaries.

(21:21) - Work Pressures in the Tech Industry

Sara addresses common challenges faced by individuals in the tech industry, such as the pressure to prioritize metrics over human-centered values, the dissonance between personal beliefs and organizational priorities, and the need for self-awareness and boundary-setting.

(28:48) - Sara's Biggest Challenges in the Workplace

Sara reflects on her challenges, including setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and building mutually beneficial working relationships.

(34:47) - Advice for Newcomers to Tech

Sara offers advice for newcomers entering the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of accepting change, maintaining a sense of identity beyond work, and finding ways to express personal values both within and outside of one's job.

In this episode of Bounce, hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers interview Laura Baker, a global design leader. The conversation covers Laura's career journey from industrial design to leading design teams and agencies. The discussion provides insights into Laura's personal experiences, challenges faced in leadership roles, and her views on collaboration between different roles and the future of the design field.

Key topics discussed include:

- Laura's transition from industrial design to UX and service design roles

- Her experience being unexpectedly thrust into a leadership position and navigating imposter syndrome

- Her perspective on what design leadership means, focusing on building trust with her team

- The relationship and dynamics between product management and design roles

- Advice for designers looking to move into leadership positions

- The potential impact of AI on the design industry and whether it could replace human designers

- How the design landscape may evolve in the coming years

Here is a summary of the transcript divided into chapters with timestamps:

(01:01) - Guest Introduction

- Hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers introduce the podcast and guest Laura Baker, a global design leader.

(01:44) - Laura's Career Journey

- Laura discusses her transition from industrial design to UX and service design roles.

- She shares how she unexpectedly ended up in a leadership position.

(04:11) - Navigating Imposter Syndrome

- Laura talks about dealing with imposter syndrome when thrust into leadership.

- She discusses her approach to overcoming self-doubt and breaking down challenges.

(10:10) - Design Leadership

- Laura explains what design leadership means to her, emphasizing building trust with her team.

- She shares how she navigates situations where her young age may cause others to question her authority.

(17:00) - Check Your Ego at the Door

- The discussion explores the relationship between product management and design roles.

- Laura provides her perspective on finding the right balance and shared understanding.

(29:29) - Advice for Transitioning to Leadership

- Laura offers advice for designers looking to move into leadership positions.

- She stresses the importance of doing it for the right reasons and being prepared for a significant mindset shift.

(35:07) - The Impact of AI on Design

- The conversation covers the potential impact of AI on the design industry.

- Laura shares her views on whether AI could feasibly replace human designers.

(43:43) - The Future of Design

- Laura discusses how the design landscape may evolve in the coming years.

- She explores the possibility of more strategic roles for designers as AI handles tactical execution.

In the 8th episode of Bounce, co-hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers interview guest Fo Neale-May, a seasoned senior director of Product Operations in B2B SaaS startups. They discuss the core aspects of product operations, including its definition, key responsibilities, strategies for overcoming resistance, and the common challenges faced in the field. The conversation discusses the scaling of product ops, integration with other functions like design ops, and the importance of effective insight utilization and boundary setting. With practical anecdotes and advice, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of how product operations contribute to the efficiency and success of product teams.00:00 Introduction to Bounce Podcast

00:14 Meet the Hosts: Mollie and Claire

01:04 Introducing Today's Guest: Fo Neale-May

02:06 Defining Product Operations

02:32 The Role and Impact of Product Ops

07:09 Challenges and Resistance in Product Ops

14:38 Boundaries and Responsibilities in Product Ops

17:26 Scaling Product Ops Across Organizations

20:23 Common Themes and Challenges in Product Ops

26:34 The Reality of Design Systems

28:11 Challenges in Product Operations

29:25 Identifying the Right Time for Product Ops

30:53 Organizational Structure of Product Ops

32:37 Misunderstandings and Resistance in Product Ops

35:58 The Importance of Seeking to Understand

38:25 Staying Motivated in a Misunderstood Field

41:38 Hot Buttons in Product Ops

46:01 Gardening and Final Thoughts