17 years at PayPal working in 10 different roles with Prashanthi Ravanavarapu (Product Executive)

In this episode of the Product Podcast with Prashanthi Ravanavarapu, Product Executive at PayPal, we unlock the secrets to becoming a transformative product leader. Our guest takes us on her journey from the data team to leading customer experience initiatives at PayPal, showcasing the power of internal mobility for personal and organizational growth.

We chat about how product management can address global challenges like poverty and hunger and why human-centered design is crucial for making meaningful, impactful products.

Get ready to hear about building high-performing "missionary teams" where passion for the mission and customer alignment drive success. Our guest also shares fascinating anecdotes from her background as a shot putter, illustrating how discipline and dedication translate to powerful leadership.

We also dive into justice-driven product design, emphasizing the creation of inclusive and equitable solutions that tackle systemic issues and foster diversity.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that promises to elevate your leadership skills and inspire lasting social impact. Don't miss out on this insightful episode!


(00:00) Intro
(04:03) Athletes succeeding in business
(04:31) Over 17 years at PayPal
(05:47) How to move internally in a company?
(09:37) The 2 keys of social impact
(13:00) The ingredients to unlock talent in people
(15:54) You can no longer just lead people
(17:01) What makes a great product leader?
(21:09) What happens when customers interact with your product
(29:20) The ability to build high-performance teams
(34:25) How does Prashanthi acquire the knowledge?


Formula for navigating internal mobility effectively:
1. What are my unique strenghts?
- Identify the skills and capabilities that set you apart.
- Reflect on past roles and projects where you have excelled.
- Consider feedback from peers and mentors to gain insights into your core competencies.
2. What are my interests?
- Think about the areas within the organization that excite you.
- Align your career aspirations with your passions.
- Explore opportunities that not only challenge you but also keep you motivated and engaged.
3. What’s the business gap?
- Look for gaps or unmet needs within the business that align with your strengths and interests.
- Conduct a thorough analysis to understand where your skills can add value.
- Develop a business case that demonstrates how your unique strengths and interests can address these gaps and contribute to the company's success.

The ingredients to unlock talent in people are discussed extensively. Here are the key components highlighted:

1. Purpose and Passion
2. Empathy and Understanding
3. Proactive Problem-Solving
4. Supportive Leadership


Building Missionary Teams

Unlike teams motivated by external rewards such as promotions or financial incentives, missionary teams are driven by a deep-seated passion for the mission and alignment with customer needs.

Approach to hiring and building such teams:

1. Prioritize mindset over skill set, seek for individuals who are customer-centric, growth-minded, service-oriented, and proactive.
2. Create an environment where members are not just working for a paycheck but are genuinely committed to making a meaningful impact.

Brought to you by:
Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit our website https://www.pendo.io/productschool/ to create your free Pendo account today, and start building better experiences across every corner of your product.

Credits:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Prashanthi Ravanavarapu

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