Max Ahumada, Author at OACO

172: Master Product Management Like a Marketing Pro with Amberdeep Aurora

by Max Ahumada | Jun 10, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet my good friend Amberdeep Aurora, an accomplished Product Management leader who knows how to speak geek… because he started where you did, engineering.

Amberdeep is fluent in the languages of Consumer, Business and Technology. Besides being a utility patent holder, one of his products has won recognition for being Popular Science Magazine’s 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.

We cover the key difference between outcomes and outputs, the 3 key trade offs to a product’s success, and how to make better decisions.

You may or may not see Product Management on your career ladder, but if you want to be a STEM professional capable of success and influence outside the walls of your cubicle, this conversation is critical.

Currently a Group Product Manager at Whirlpool Corp, a Global $20B World’s Most Admired Company (ranked by Fortune, 14 years in a row), Amberdeep leads a team of product managers in improving the shopping experience across the company’s North American Portfolio of six Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce websites.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to stop talking about solutions and start listening to our customer’s problems!

171: See How Easily You Can Increase Confidence at Work

by Max Ahumada | Jun 3, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I explore the surprising link between failure and confidence, sharing insights from a recent coaching session with top-performing engineering managers.

We discuss how our greatest growth often comes from setbacks and how shifting our mindset from fearing failure to embracing learning can unlock true confidence.

Hear a powerful story from my client Becca, who transformed her confidence by breaking the confidence-competence loop.

Join me as we reframe success and failure, focusing instead on continuous growth and learning.

So press play and let’s chat about transforming your confidence through growth!

170: Are You Feeling Bored or Burned Out Lately? with Erika Rothenberger

by Max Ahumada | May 31, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet a woman who gave up the idea of being bored and focused on changing into the leader she dreamed of becoming, Erika Rothenberger.

Discover her secret to growth when you feel like you have nothing else to give. As you’ll see, she makes most of us look flat out lazy.

She currently manages a full-time career as Director of Performance Systems for a big national utility
contractor, Henkels & McCoy. She started two female empowerment networking groups in her community, and serves on multiple charity boards.

Erika is a mom, a published author, traveling keynote speaker, wellness entrepreneur, real estate investor, and oh yeah…host of the “Grit, Grace, & Glitz” podcast!

So press play and let’s chat… because you have the resilience inside of you for glitz without burnout!

169: The 4 Keys to Selling Your Ideas to Upper Management

by Max Ahumada | May 20, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into the crucial skills of selling ideas effectively within the engineering field, a skill often overlooked but immensely valuable for career advancement.

We often have brilliant ideas that could significantly benefit our companies, but without the right influence and sales tactics, these ideas can falter at the execution stage. I share insights from a recent coaching session where we addressed these challenges, focusing on increasing both the intrinsic and perceived value of your proposals to upper management.

Drawing from real-world examples and sales principles, I outline strategic approaches to enhance your persuasiveness and ensure your innovative ideas get the support they deserve.

So press play and let’s chat about transforming your technical skills into influential salesmanship!

168: What Every Engineer Ought to Know About Middle Management with Jason Gallaugher | VP of Engineering

by Max Ahumada | May 13, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet former Vice President of Engineering at VidYard and Principal Founder of ThreeNorth Consulting, Jason Gallaugher.

If you want to succeed in middle management, you must understand how to get leverage. You must change your approach. You must block the imposter voice and unsustainable work that leads to burnout.

Jason has spent over 20 years in engineering and technology, where his journey has taken him across scrappy startups, large companies and rocket ships.

His curiosity and energy have pushed him into roles ranging from software developer, product manager, P/L leader, all the way up to technology executive.

And he understands that being a manager can be the hardest job of them all.

Now, Jason is primarily a coach and advisor to executive teams. His energy comes from his love of people + technology, and using his skills to help technology organizations become High Leverage..

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time for YOU to master middle management!

167: You Don’t Have to Be John Maxwell to Be a Great Leader

by Max Ahumada | May 6, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive deep into the practical aspects of leadership with a focus on behaviors over traits.

Everyone aspires to be a great leader, but what does that really entail beyond the buzzwords and theories?

I share a story from a recent conversation with Bill, a senior engineering manager, who’s striving to enhance his leadership skills, particularly around building trust and creating psychological safety within his team.

We discuss how easy it is to get caught up in the theoretical aspects of leadership, like the concepts found in leadership books, and overlook the necessity of actionable steps.

Throughout our discussion, I emphasize the importance of transforming leadership aspirations into specific, behavior-based actions that lead to real results.

Join me as we explore how to break down common leadership challenges into tangible actions that can immediately impact your team.

So press play and let’s chat about turning theory into action!

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