In this interview, Mike recounts his experience transitioning from a toxic ad‑tech/blockchain startup—where he served as Head of User Experience but felt drained, doubting his abilities—to joining Lynne Levy’s Inspired Leader Program. Seeking guidance, validation, and a path out of his rut, he engaged in a test week and then the full program, which emphasized deep self‑reflection through tools like StrengthsFinder, motivators analysis, and communication‑style modules. Mike highlights key takeaways such as heightened self‑awareness, the ability to pitch his own unique strengths rather than tailoring to perceived company expectations, and strategies for navigating different communication personas. The program enabled him to secure a new role as the first product hire at a fintech firm launching a Los Angeles office, accompanied by a 50% salary increase. He advises other product managers in similar toxic or stagnant environments to attend an initial consultation, assess resonance, and seek peer perspectives to determine if the program can help them break out of their current challenges.
Chapters
All right.
Hey, Mike, how are things?
Doing okay. Good.
Awesome. I'm so excited that you're going to be starting your new job in a couple of weeks.
Thank you. Yeah, I'm excited as well.
That's awesome. All right. Let's talk about your experiences with the Inspired Leader Program. So tell us, where were you when we had our very first conversation in terms of just kind of think about the program?
Yeah, so, uh, yeah, totally. So, um, I mean, to be honest, from the outside, I was in a great position. I was at an ad tech blockchain company in Los Angeles, California. Um, I was head of user experience, uh, but ultimately it was not a great work culture. It was kind of a toxic environment. Um, I wasn't doing what I wanted to do and at the high level is essentially bringing my confidence down, um, you know, and making me self-doubt a lot of the product work that I have done in the past and the product work that I was doing at that company. Uh, so it was just really, um, you know, every day going in, uh, it was really tough. Waking up was tough, you know, and at the end of the day you're, you're just drained. So a tough work environment for sure.
Yeah, absolutely. So what made you decide, decide to join the program?
Yeah. So, um, I mean, I was actually looking at a few different programs, um, you know, specifically at product managers, um, in furthering their career and their leadership skills. So, uh, like I mentioned, I was at a smaller kind of tech company. Um, I was always looking to kind of grow into a larger tech company or gain exposure to those larger companies. And just needed some kind of guidance. And also it's almost just like reassurance that I'm doing the right things, that I have the capabilities, that I have the skill sets. And so I think I saw, I saw you somewhere. I forget. We jumped on a call. You know, the presentation you gave really resonated, especially with like toxic work cultures and, you know, kind of being broken down at a company versus being built up. And, uh, yeah, so I think we did like a test week or something, and I think we did a test week.
Absolutely. Yeah, to make sure you were comfortable with it.
Yeah, and it helped me just like— I was in a rut, so I needed something to kind of jumpstart me.
Awesome. What was the experience like for you in the program?
Yeah, so it was, um, well, at the very beginning, I would say like the first third was probably the most, uh, challenging in a good way because You're asking questions, not necessarily how do you document Jira backlog tickets and things like that. It's more about looking at yourself, really deep diving into yourself, taking the time to answer questions about yourself, which I found the most valuable. And from there, I forget exactly what you said, but I'm not going out there now trying to pitch what they want, what a company wants. I'm essentially pitching myself and my unique capabilities and strengths and motivations. Um, and one that gives me confidence because, hey, this is just me. And if this company wants me, that's great. Then it's probably gonna be a great fit versus trying to pitch something that I'm not in what they're looking for.
What was, what were some of just the key takeaways from the program?
Some of the key takeaways, I think, um, Well, definitely like looking at myself, you know, a lot of those questions, a lot of the, the video, videos and modules and activities that you had us do. Again, the first third was really challenging because there was a lot to do, and those questions are not easy. So I had to take the time to sit down, answer those questions, everything from StrengthsFinders to my motivators. to understanding what drives me, you know, how I get in flow to also, um, you know, maybe the things that I don't like. Um, also I think the, one of the really interesting insights that I liked were the different types of communication, um, of different personas. So usually I'm pretty practical and pragmatic, pragmatic. Um, And then, but there's other people that might be verbose. And so you have to understand how to communicate with them. And now, and you know, and sometimes you get triggered by those opposite styles. And so now when that happens, I kind of just think back to saying like, okay, that's just their style. It's not who they are. And, you know, so, so that was insightful.
That's awesome. So tell us, where are you now? Tell, tell us what, what has changed for you since you started? Working in that culture?
So, well, one, um, I— my goal at the beginning of this was to get another job, um, transition to another job, um, and I accomplished that. I was honestly, I was not sure if that was gonna happen, but it happened. Um, I think any job, a great job. Yeah, the— I'm the first product hire of, um, of a fintech company. They're based in New York. They're launching their office in Los Angeles, and so I'll be helping, you know, grow the team. In addition to that, I think the pay raise increased 50%, so it's, you know, significant. Yeah, and I'm excited.
That's awesome.
Yeah.
So if you were, if you were to meet somebody, another product manager on the street, and they were considering whether to join the program, What questions should they ask themselves?
Oh, that's a good question. What questions should they ask? Well, I think, well, one, I don't think it hurts to jump on and listen to your, you know, initial consultation or presentation just to see if it resonates with them. I think if they're in a rut, this is something potentially that could help them. If they are at a work environment that is, uh, you know, toxic. I think this is, um, something where they can jump on, listen to other product managers in the industry, everywhere from small unknown companies to, you know, like the huge companies, um, that everyone's heard of. So you can jump on with other product managers and talk to them and understand that they're going through the exact same challenges.
Literally everybody is going through the exact same challenges.
Yeah. So again, if you're in a toxic work culture, if you're in a rut, if you're looking to, uh, you know, expand more of your leadership skill sets and communicate, I would say communication skill sets. Yeah.
Awesome. Mike, you're a rock star. Thank you so very much.
