Takeaways: How a great founder becomes a great CEO

Key takeaways from Lenny's podcast: "How a great founder becomes a great CEO | Jonathan Lowenhar"
Most founders struggle to make this distinction. The instincts and drive that help you launch a business aren't enough to scale it. That's why the best leaders lean into building the craft of being a CEO.
Here's what I learned about how founders can do just that:
Trust your intuition - but only when it's quiet.That “quiet voice” inside you often know... read more

We found this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant (Yokohama abura soba in Tokyo) - seats a max of 8 people - with authentic Japanese food. It was absolutely delicious.

A Return to Old-School Blogging

🎯 I launched the "Timeline" while on holiday in Japan and it feels amazing to embrace that old-school blogging vibe again.
While my wife was shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets, I lost track of her for about three hours (expected). After 20 minutes of wandering the endless shops, I grabbed my laptop, found a café and ended up coding something I'd been wanting to create for ages but could never quite define.

Here's the context: I can't stand soci... read more

The magnificent Mount Fuji (3,776m) - Japan's tallest mountain. Though it last erupted in 1708, it is still classified as an active volcano.

We were lucky to enjoy clear skies two days in a row!

I launched the "Timeline" while on holiday in Japan.
Here's why: A Return to Old-School Blogging

The Most Important Skill for Product Managers

As my product management career has progressed, my perspective on the most important skill has changed. Early on, I thought it was all about speed - getting things done fast. Later, I believed strategy was the ultimate priority. But now, I'm increasingly convinced that the most important skill for a PM is clarity - and the key to achieving clarity is strong communication.
It doesn't matter how brilliant your product strategy is or how strong your... read more

I went for a scenic run around the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo - a 5-kilometre loop encircling the grounds. The path follows the palace's moat, offering views of historic stone walls and traditional bridges. So good!

Takeaways: Identify your bullseye customer in one day

Key takeaways from Lenny's podcast: "Identify your bullseye customer in one day | Michael Margolis"
That's the promise of the Bullseye Customer Sprint, a framework shared by Michael Margolis (UX Research Partner at GV). It's all about focusing on the right customer at the start of your journey - avoiding wasted effort and accelerating clarity for your team.
Instead of chasing broad customer profiles, Margolis advises narrowing down to a small, sp... read more

Everything feels small in Tokyo - apartment blocks, windows, balconies, even doors. It's so tiny that in some places, I don't quite fit!

Culture is shaped by the people within it. Sometimes, one person is all it takes to spark positive change.

An employee who offers genuine encouragement, lends a hand to solve a problem or suggests small but meaningful improvements can transform a team's energy - one action at a time.

This is the quiet yet powerful force of influence.

Amplify their voices.
Support them.
Elevate them.

Let their impact ripple further.

Cold email campaigns: The secret growth lever for startups

1. Why cold outbound is such a game-changer.Direct access to decision-makers. Unlike ads or social posts, a well-crafted email goes straight to the inbox of your ideal contact - no gatekeepers.High ROI potential. A single person with a laptop can create millions in pipeline, as seen with campaigns that booked 23 meetings worth $230k in pipeline in just 4 weeks.Timeless appeal of email. Amidst internet noise, email remains a sacred space for genu... read more

Silos.

Break them whenever you see them.

Silos keep teams from seeing the whole market picture.

Silos risk losing sight of the customer, prioritising internal goals and creating a fragmented experience.

Silos slow everything down - teams hold onto information, delaying solutions.

Silos leave teams blind to risks outside their scope.

Expertise vs open-mindedness.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if someone's perspective is genuinely the best approach or if they're just anchored in familiar thinking. What if they don't even know what “awesome” could look like?

On the other hand, knowing when to hold your ground versus when to let things go can be even trickier. What if I don't know what “awesome” feels like and am just comfortable with my usual approach?

Expertise vs open-mindedness

You know that feeling when you see someone's approach and think “This is a mess - it could be so much better”?
You start wondering why. Are they just stuck in old habits? Do they not know there are other options? Or do they know - and choose not to use them?
What if they don't even know what “awesome” could look like? If only they could experience it, maybe they'd never go back to the old way.
But then, when someone suggests an improvement to me... read more

Define who's making the call before a debate starts.

That person takes in everyone's input but in the end they own the final decision.

It cuts down on endless debates and helps the team align around a single direction - even if not everyone agrees at first.

Marathon done! ✅

What an incredible experience. Running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and soaking in the amazing views was unforgettable. The support along the course was fantastic, with spectators holding up funny signs like "Don't be shit" that kept me laughing.

I finished in 5h 10m - not the fastest, but my goal was to finish, so I didn't push too hard.

My plan was to stay in Zone 2 for the first 15km, then stick to Zone 3 as long as possible and I managed to do just that. I hit a couple of cramps in the second half but powered through with cramp shots (disgusting, but they work).

A short post about unstoppable teams.

Weathering the Torpedoes

All teams will face this moment sooner or later.

Torpedoes hit and chaos erupts. This feels like the end.

You see those who freeze and are lost in analysis or despair. Others grab buckets, extinguish fires and patch the holes. Those who can't handle the shitstorm often leave or, worse, switch off - but the team that stays learns.

Each crisis builds resilience and over time, the screams fade, the paralysis lessens and the team grows steady.

One day, the torpedo hits again but nobody panics. Everyone acts, shoulders the load and trusts each other to hold the line.

That's the moment you know your team is unstoppable.

Lead with Problems, Not Solutions

Sharing problems doesn't mean solving them.

Early in a product management career, it's tempting to package every problem with a solution. It feels efficient and helpful but it can limit your team's creativity. Presenting ready-made answers shifts focus from understanding the problem to critiquing your idea. This shortcut skips the messy, collaborative process where the best solutions often emerge.

Teams thrive when they tackle challenges together. Give them the problem - leave space for their brilliance.

If you're a Product Manager, let the Product Designer lead when they're handling tasks well.

Shift your focus to strategy or collaboration, stepping in only if quality slips - then step back again.