105. João Santos: From IT to Product, a growth mindset and aligning everyone around an outcome.

In this episode, João was speaking with João Santos, Director of Product Management at Outsystems and one of the speakers of the first Product Weekend event, held in May. There he talked about the main non-obvious lessons he learned in 10 years in Product Management and also about the nuances of the relation between Product and Engineering. João has a long experience in the software industry and in this conversation he shares some of his stories as well as useful advice for anyone working in Product. Besides being a director of product management he is also a father, a learning geek, a great storyteller and a really fun person to chat with. Time notes: [0:10] Introduction of João. [1:00] How did João end up studying computer science? [4:05] Connection between business and technology. [4:50] Working for Altitude for 14 years.  [6:40] How did João end up as a product manager? [10:33] Hobbies of João and how they change. [13:50] What is OutSystems about? [20:28] Product Management Academy and opportunities brought by it. [24:49] Growth mindset and the urge to learn that was always there. [26:40] What are the main ways in which João challenges himself to grow? [27:55] What does João read?  [28:35] Did someone ever aim to take João's place? [30:50] Competition for a position and challenged credibility. [35:00] The challenges as a Product Manager. [37:00] How to make sure everyone in the team has the same objectives? [42:36] Common myths in product management. [45:12] What is the right way to ask "why"? [48:18] What is the key to balancing taking on new challenges and helping colleagues and focusing on what really matters? [51:30] An advice for an 18-year-old self. [52:30] The most inspiring leader João had met. [54:55] Recommendations. PRODUCTION This podcast was hosted by João Moita from Product Weekend, with sound edited by João Moita and production help by Productized, André Marquet and Evelina Bogdiun. [53:34] Coffee with any historical figure - which one?