Delivering Value with Andrew Capland

In this episode, Liz Christo, Investor and GTM Advisor for Stage 2 Capital, unravels her highs and lows in her workforce journey. From getting told “you’re too ruthlessly execution focussed” to having to dramatically change her working style, Liz’s story unpacks the power of feedback, why you should develop a culture of support, and the significance of vulnerability. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 1. When Liz fought so hard to have a global org and ended up burning out and feeling stretched too thin 2. When Liz received the hardest piece of feedback, twice… 3. The story when Liz was not able to get companies to follow through, even when they were in complete agreement on what needed to happen Things to listen for: [07:33] Why Liz was described as “great at the “USA Crossword puzzle” [09:19] Her biggest work burnout moment [14:46] Not taking care of herself and the impact on her work [18:53] Getting a new job and it testing her values and culture list [28:28] Getting told everything that was negative about working with her [36:34] Addressing feedback and making changes [38:22] Her biggest imposter syndrome moment Resources: - Connect with Liz on LinkedIn - Check out Stage 2 Capital - Subscribe to Dear Stage 2 on Substack - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn - Work with Andrew - Learn more about Appcues

In this episode Adam Goyette, founder of Growth Union and former VP of Marketing at Help Scout and G2, shares his journey into marketing and we explore the three biggest speed bumps he encountered in his career. Along the way, he shares the impact of professional relationships on career development and growth and his strategies for handling stress, self-doubt, and early career hurdles in marketing. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 1. When Adam’s boss left and the company promoted their intern, who had an Ivy League MBA, over him 2. When Adam couldn’t explain why they had a bad month and his CFO walked out of the meeting 3. The story of when Adam first got promoted to VP of Marketing in a tough environment Things to listen for: [02:26] The risk that led to a huge reward for Adam [07:17] When he put in his resignation, but was persuaded to stay [11:02] The intern was promoted over him… [16:48] Showing off losses made his company see major growth [28:07] The gut-wrenching moment Adam’s CFO walked out on their meeting [36:18] Beware of bad marketers at prestigious companies! [39:59] Advice on building career relationships Resources: - Connect with Adam on LinkedIn - Check out Growth Union - Sign up Adam’s Substack: The Friday Growth Note - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Kevan Lee, co-founder of Bonfire, shares the most gruesome imposter syndrome he’s ever encountered, the biggest "welcome to the league" moment he experienced from getting rejected, and what it was like to leave a high-flying corporate job to walk the tightrope of entrepreneurship. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 1. When Kevan realized his unique path was not climbing the corporate ladder, despite his family history of entrepreneurship 2. His “welcome to the league” when he was initially rejected for a content writer position at Buffer 3. The most frustrating career feedback Kevan has ever received Things to listen for: [04:53] Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, but never identifying as an entrepreneur [11:22] His “welcome to the league” moment [14:05] Choosing to knock on Buffer’s door again after rejection [17:18] Having to pull the plug on a large project [25:20] Moving past a huge career disappointment [29:30] Being told he need to “speak up more” in a meeting [37:27] The worst type of interview Kevan has experienced Resources: - Connect with Kevan on LinkedIn - Check out Bonfire - Kevan’s substack - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

Nobody deserves to be yelled at by their boss… ever. That’s the situation Shanee Ben-Zur found herself in early in her career - and (after regrouping and then giving her notice immediately afterwards) it triggered a new career in tech-marketing. She’s gone to be become CMO at Earnest, with stops at Crunchbase, Dropbox, Salesforce, and NVIDIA. In addition to the horrible yelling situation, Shanee talked about how her fear of failure caused her to micromanage her team, and shared the feedback that’s helped her grow into her own as a leader. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 1. The story behind when Shanee was screamed at by her boss in the middle of NYC - and what she did next. 2. Realizing her team was hesitant to provide honest feedback - which led her to seek coaching 3. The team turnover after a successful funding round and the beginning of the pandemic Things to listen for: [04:34] Being a child of immigrants influenced her into the wrong field [09:01] Shanee’s boss screamed at her in the middle of NYC [12:03] Playstation changed the trajectory of Shanee’s career [18:31] What caused Shanee’s work tears [25:31] Creating a culture of fear [30:57] The goal is to hire people who are smarter than you [34:44] Therapy changed Shanee’s life [38:25] Benefit from learning how to communicate wins strategically Resources: - Connect with Shanee on LinkedIn - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

Moving to South Africa with the entire family, working 75 hour weeks, and then getting the worst feedback from a new boss sounds sounds fun, right? This is the exact situation that Dave Boyce found himself in. But Dave didn’t let that stop him. He used this experience as fuel to become a serial entrepreneur who evolved into a professor and writer. Dave is the author of "Product That Sells Itself,” he’s on the board of Winning by Design and Forrester, and is an advisor to a handful of startups. In addition to the challenging feedback loops and international moves, Dave emphasizes embracing the unknown with confidence, how feedback has influenced his life, and the importance of developing strong boundaries and values. In this episode, you’ll hear: 1. The toughest 2 pieces of feedback Dave has ever received and how those influence him today 2. The time when Dave was driving and got a call from George Zachary (investor in Twitter) saying, "this is going to be a tough call. Do you have a minute?"” 3. How Dave finds the courage to overcome imposter syndrome related to writing his new textbook on PLG Things to listen for: [04:52] What happened when Dave ignored his gut feelings [12:26] Dave’s spontaneous decision to move to South Africa with his family and ended up receiving the toughest feedback in his career [26:13] Receiving a call from George Zachary (CRV), saying "This is going to be a tough call. Do you have a minute?” [32:53] The moment Dave experienced imposter syndrome and almost threw the towel in. [36:50] Dave’s secrets behind what helped him pursue his dreams Resources: - Connect with Dave on LinkedIn - Visit Dave’s website - Subscribe to Dave’s Substack - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Subscribe to the Delivering Value Substack - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

As a growth marketer, you’re faced with decisions every day. What campaign should you run? Which metric should you optimize for? But some decisions can strike you to the core of your values. That happened to Bradley Fehler, Growth Lead at Prolific, when his boss asked him to choose to focus on work or caring for his pregnant wife. It’s a decision that’s often much easier to make in retrospect. In this episode, Bradley shares stories about times when boundaries in his professional and personal life were tested, and dealing with the immense pressure of being the head of growth at a company that just wasn’t growing. Listen to realize that you aren’t alone in the struggles you face as a growth leader, and that the challenges you’re facing are temporary. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Setting boundaries between your professional and personal life is crucial for maintaining balance 2. Be candid with your boss about what you can and can’t commit to as early as possible 3. Never forget to remain humble and curious, regardless of your company’s growth Things to listen for: [10:13] Cultivating candid feedback in relationships [11:30] Choosing between work and a pregnant wife [16:19] Learning to set boundaries at work [20:08] Overcoming difficult choices at work [21:56] Setting expectations with your manager [26:25] When work bleeds into home [36:31] A new segment: What Would You Do? Resources: - Connect with Bradley on LinkedIn - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

Receiving negative feedback is always tough. But when it’s coming from someone you really respect, It can feel brutal. As painful as it was for Leah Tharin, Growth Advisor for scaling B2B companies, to hear that she was thinking too small, it eventually defined how she worked, reset her expectations, and strengthened her leadership style. In this episode, Leah shares her story of evolving in her growth career and overcoming the stumbles her ego caused along the way. Listen to discover how there’s always an opportunity for growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Your biggest growth is on the other side of brutal, yet constructive feedback 2. Identifying your learning pattern allows you to better structure your self-education and retain the things you consume 3. It’s important to understand and notice your emotions and talk about them with others Things to listen for: [10:45] Growing in the messy middle [13:04] The watershed moment that altered Leah’s career [21:27] Learning to zoom out and slow down [25:00] Continuing with a struggling business [26:16] The superpower of a growth mindset [28:53] Managing the spectrum of self-doubt [37:14] Improving from poor presentations Resources: - Connect with Leah on LinkedIn - Check out Leah’s PLG Course - Listen to The Productea with Leah Podcast - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

When you look at some professionals, it’s easy to underrate their accomplishments because they were “lucky.” But ask any one of them and you’ll realize the long, arduous, stressful road they took to get there. Brendan Hufford, Founder of Growth Sprints, is one of those professionals. In this episode, Brendan tells the stories of his bouts with overwork and taking on a role in a toxic, terrifying work environment to get to where he is today. Listen to discover what you need as a growth marketer to stay grounded and work sustainably, without sacrificing your health along the way. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Surrounding yourself with people who love you for who you are is essential to avoiding burnout 2. Moving fast can be detrimental if you aren’t doing it thoughtfully 3. Broadcasting your wins to the company can help get people energized about the work you do Things to listen for: [09:45] Nothing replaces hard work [13:38] Moving too fast [15:17] Processing critiques and feedback [27:38] Balancing how much effort to give [28:24] Finding work that combines your expertises [30:13] Avoiding the health risks of overwork [33:45] Realizing the value of soft skills Resources: - Connect with Brendan on LinkedIn - Subscribe to Brendan’s newsletter for the secret recipes of how SaaS companies *actually* get customers - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

Should you continue working in-house or finally take a chance and start your own thing? If you struggle with this push and pull - you aren’t alone. The safety of an in-house role can be alluring. But if you’re looking for something different Asia Orangio, CEO and Founder of DemandMaven has some advice - if you have the runway, then go for it. In this episode, Asia talks about how while starting her own business has been extremely challenging, it’s also leveled up her skills faster than she thought possible. Listen in to learn how she overcame tough feedback from her mentor about her experience and the mindsets you need to succeed in your career. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Mentors won’t always support your ideas, don’t take it personally 2. Real world experience can be an invaluable substitute for formal education 3. Don’t let the unknown unknowns stop you from moving forward Things to listen for: [06:07] Taking on bigger problems [13:03] Receiving tough feedback from a trusted mentor [24:03] Does starting your own business make you unemployable? [25:28] Unlocking new levels in your life [26:36] Meeting impossible goals in a toxic work environment [32:49] Advice for people working at roles misaligned to their values [35:42] What to do when you don’t know what to do [38:28] Breaking old thought patterns Resources: - Connect with Asia on LinkedIn or Twitter - Check out Asia’s newsletter - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn and Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

It’s stating the obvious but leadership is tricky. You’ve got to find a balance between creating space for open dialogue while also filtering how much you actually share. Margaret Kelsey, Founder and Marketing Advisor at TatCo, was forced to take a step back and look closely at her team culture when she got some very disheartening feedback during her time at Appcues. She quickly came to realize she’d created a toxic mini culture in her team by expressing frustration with the organization in an unproductive way. In this episode, Margaret shares some of her struggles in aligning her team with the larger company and getting buy-in from higher ups on their strategies. She also discusses how she’s learning how to detangle her personal and work identities. Listen to discover how you can become more self-aware as a leader to lead teams effectively and continue being satisfied with your work. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. As a leader, you need to be responsible about what messages you filter through to your team 2. Every piece of feedback you receive is optional 3. It’s better to think of your company as a sports team rather than a family Things to listen for: [11:14] Rethinking hustle culture [15:25] Filtering frustrations and leadership messages to your team [18:22] Navigating the challenge of misaligned values at work [28:49] Detangling your work and personal identity [32:01] Dealing with “Executive thrashing” [37:13] Leaning into your feelings rather than judging them [40:04] Building self-awareness as a leader [41:13] Setting boundaries and choosing what feedback to accept Resources: - Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn - Check out Margaret’s podcast - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

When you’re leading a small growth team, every time someone leaves it can feel like a gut punch. That’s what Connor Bradley, Director of Product Growth at Jobber, felt when a member of his team left at the beginning of the pandemic. And then another person exited and Connor felt lower than low. In this episode, Connor discusses the emotions he’s had to go through and process while building a growth team from scratch and overcoming the struggles, unexpected and otherwise, that comes with that path. Listen in to learn how you can build more tight knit teams and form solid connections to handle the ups and downs of a career in growth. In this episode, you’ll learn how: 1. Approaching growth problems calmly allows you to remain focused on what’s most important for your company 2. Vocalizing your feelings is critical in remote work since so much non-verbal communication is lost through video calls 3. Building solid relationships at work helps you overcome the common problems of growth Things to listen for: [03:33] Why curiosity is critical to growth [06:44] The period of his career Connor’s most proud of [10:27] Hitting your lowest low and what comes next [14:24] Maintaining a 10,000 foot view [19:21] Advice for anyone feeling lonely or isolated [22:49] Struggling with self-doubt [26:55] Avoiding a reactive mindset [30:41] Being okay saying “not right now” Resources: - Connect with Connor on Linkedin - Connect with Andrew on Linkedin or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

When you see someone with an impressive resume, it’s easy to think they’ve got it all figured out. But Patrick Moran, Head of Growth Marketing at Robinhood, shows that can be a pretty misleading indicator. Working at massive companies like Netflix, eBay, and Reforge has taught him valuable lessons that he carries with him to this day. In this episode, Patrick shares three things he’s learned from the different mistakes he’s made in his career. Listen in and realize that no one’s career is perfect and you aren’t alone in your struggle to find success in your growth role. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Your relationship with your manager is definitely two-way 2. The company shouldn’t guide or dictate your career - that’s in your hands 3. Understanding first principles is crucial to your growth in a company Things to listen for: [07:01] Realizing the importance of unit economics for growth roles [12:31] Learning the value of managing up [17:35] Balancing your career priorities with the company’s priorities for you [19:58] Understanding the value of first principles thinking [23:47] Adapting to a role you didn’t ask for [26:44] Knowing when it isn’t the right fit [30:12] Navigating doubts at work Resources: - Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn or the Finding Market Fit podcast - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about Appcues

Starting growth from scratch in your company is a big responsibility. Not only do you have to teach people about its processes, but you also have to evangelize it, letting them know why they need it in the first place. It has plenty of ups and downs. Lauren Schuman, former growth at Sidebar, Mural, and Mailchimp) knows all too well. In this episode, Lauren shares her story of starting growth from nothing at a growing company and how she’s learned to take feedback from other people. Listen to learn how you can effectively evangelize growth in your company while developing your internal relationships. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Speaking a common language is essential to educating your team on the value of growth 2. Finding a professional peer group provides you with the support you need to push through tough situations 3. You shouldn’t apply every piece of feedback you receive, but know that each has some truth to them Things to listen for: [10:20] Starting growth from scratch at Mailchimp [17:40] The value of a professional peer group [19:51] Swallowing brutally honest feedback [21:32] Dealing with significant changes within a company [32:08] Being selective about the feedback you apply [35:17] Finding the company that meets your standards [36:42] Knowing when it’s time to move on Resources - Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic

Working in a new company means your day-to-day responsibilities have to be tied to a larger goal. But when you’re fresh out of college in your first role, it’s hard to understand that perspective and how others work towards it. Claire Suellentrop, Co-Founder and COO of Forget the Funnel, knows the struggle. In this episode, Claire talks about how valuable an outside perspective would’ve been to her growth when she was starting out. Listen to learn how you can set up your network to create a foundation for your growth in the industry. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Understanding how different people approach work will save you from miscommunications and wasted work 2. The best people to give you advice are the ones who are only a few steps ahead 3. An outside perspective of your problems will help you overcome them quicker Things to listen for: [04:25] How Claire fell backwards into growth [11:39] Learning to catch up to a company’s pace [14:47] The importance of learning from someone a few steps ahead [18:11] Understanding everyone’s working styles [23:46] Overcoming a skillset-company culture mismatch [27:58] Leaning into your strengths [30:23] Why heads of growth turnover so quickly Resources - Connect with Claire on LinkedIn or Forget the Funnel - Forget the Funnel book - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about MadKudu

Most growth roles are difficult to grasp and manage which makes mastering “soft skills” like communication, vital. In this episode, Product Growth Advisor Rosie Hoggmascall shares her experiences around someone taking credit for her work, struggling with being put on the spot, and having the tough conversation about feeling stuck at work. Listen in to hear her tried and true phrases you can employ to avoid freezing in anxiety-triggering conversations at work and to be reminded why soft skills are what hard workers really need. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Writing your thoughts on paper before a hard conversation at work can help you show up with confidence and clarity 2. Communication and managing up are two soft skills you need to hone to be an effective head of growth 3. You don’t have to accept all the feedback you receive but pay attention if you’re hearing the same things over and over Things to listen for: [11:35] Why you should always be applying for jobs [12:51] Dealing with disrespectful managers [15:51] Preparing for difficult conversations [19:16] Breaking your self-deprecating internal monologue [22:29] Speaking with your boss after a big mistake [26:55] Phrases to use to avoid freezing [30:15] Sifting through contrasting feedback [32:46] Honing your soft skills Resources: - Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn, Medium, or Growth Mentor - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about MadKudu

Alignment is one of the most important parts of working in growth, whether it's being aligned with your company about your role or how well you connect with the new hire. Hillary Pitts Miller works the intersection of Product and Growth at Whimsical and she came to understand the power of alignment when she realized that her company wasn’t actually ready for a growth team yet. In this episode, Hillary shares her story of setting her ego aside for the sake of the company and her transition from her marketing background into growth (and back again). Listen in for Hillary’s insights and career advice on navigating the maturing but unpredictable growth landscape. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. That you shouldn’t be afraid to address the elephant in the room 2. Why it’s important to take time and suss out the company culture fit, whether you’re interviewing candidates or interviewing for jobs 3. Some companies might not need a growth role as much as they think they do Things to listen for: [03:45] Hillary’s Growth origin story [09:04] How to overcome a failed hire [14:50] Navigating impostor syndrome [17:07] How being honest builds trust [20:50] Setting your ego aside for the company’s needs [29:23] Advice for struggling job seekers [30:59] How to learn if a company is for you Resources: - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about MadKudu

Have you moved from one company to another just to feel like nothing changed? Like when you finally leave a role that drains your energy, only to find yourself in a company culture that’s a little too familiar? Joseph Fitzgibbon, Founder of Growth & Company, knows that feeling and his experiences taught him signs to look out for and tactics for avoiding falling into companies that just aren’t made for him. In this episode, Joseph shares his journey into the growth industry and how he overcame the struggles of having a job that demanded skills and a personality that he didn’t have. Listen to learn how to find your sweet spot and to get out of dodge when the role doesn’t fit you and the value you bring to the table. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Call things early. If you’re in a job that doesn’t feel right, it’s best to leave as soon as you can rather than perpetually hope that one day everything will work out. 2. When you’re interviewing for a new growth role, really try to understand what caused them to let go of the person you’re replacing. It helps you avoid making the same mistakes. 3. There is power in clear and frequent feedback, seek it out relentlessly. Things to listen for: [4:17] An average week at a growth consultancy [12:06] Joseph’s path to the growth industry [16:34] Identifying a mismatch in your role [19:51] The value of clear feedback and performance reviews [28:58] Setting expectations with your manager [36:26] Managing the reality of business [40:37] Advice for growth jobseekers Resources: - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about MadKudu

Having been the only woman in countless meetings and the youngest person at the table, Daphne Tideman, Freelance Growth Advisor and Consultant at Daphne Tideman Ltd., understands the struggle of getting your voice heard. It was frustrating for her. But, over time, she’s learned how to overcome it. In this episode, Daphne shares how learning to speak other people’s languages has allowed her to be more convincing and resonate with others. But beyond that, she’s also discovered how to grow her confidence and value herself outside of the bounds of work. Listen to hear the valuable lessons she’s gained from her mistakes and strategies she uses to overcome the pressure of heading a Growth team, learning new skills, freelancing in Growth, and more. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. The power of speaking your executive’s language 2. To get to the heart of a matter keep asking the question “So what?” 3. Have goals and passions outside of work to help you find more balance in your life Things to listen for: [4:29] The crossroads that led Daphne to the Growth industry [14:18] Being the only woman in a meeting [17:35] Remembering work isn’t your whole life [20:42] The power of joint goals [21:54] How to get your ideas heard [32:56] Focusing on things in your control [35:28] Being in your comfort zone is OK Resources: - Connect with Daphne on her website and subscribe to her newsletter - Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter - Learn more about Navattic - Learn more about MadKudu

When you take the long-term perspective of your Growth career, it would be shocking if you didn’t get at least one bad performance review. That’s an insight Adam Fishman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at ResortPass and Executive in Residence at Reforge, has come to understand deeply. In this episode, he shares his story of being one of the early employees at Lyft and how he had to learn to manage a Growth team before many people knew what Growth really meant. Listen to hear about overcoming career mistakes, understanding how being yourself and being successful can happen simultaneously, and dealing with the anxiety and pressure of leading large teams when you’re inexperienced. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. The importance of seeking outside mentorship because bosses can’t always be your coaches nor do they have all the answers you need 2. Why it’s best to be honest with your employers about what they can expect from you to help you decide as soon as possible whether a role is right for you 3. When to use soft skills to gauge whether a responsibility is just enough to grow someone or too much for them to handle Things to listen for: [5:52] The pivotal moment in Adam’s career from a marketer to a Growth leader [11:11] A lesson from being the Head of Growth [13:04] Learning from a bad performance review [18:54] Why you should learn to ask for help [24:59] The anxiety and pressure from high growth companies [17:53] How to be yourself and be successful [32:38] Adam’s experience dealing with high pressure and anxiety Resources: Adam’s NewsletterAdam on LinkedInLinkedInTwitterNavatticMadKudu