Episode · Lenny's Podcast · 2022-07-18

Lenny Rachitsky & Nickey Skarstad: books mentioned on Lenny's Podcast

Nickey Skarstad (Airbnb, Etsy, Shopify, Duolingo) on translating vision into goals, operationalizing product quality, second-order decisions, brainstorming, influence, and much more

2 books · With Nickey Skarstad · Listen

Nickey Skarstad is a Director of Product Management at Duolingo, where she is leading a stealth 0 → 1 product. Prior to Duolingo, she was VP of Product at The Wing, Product Lead at Airbnb, where she led much of the Experiences product team, Product Lead at Shopify, and Director of Product Management at Etsy.

Nickey Skarstad recommended Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and others and Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   Never Split the Difference

   Chris Voss; Tahl Raz · at 38:22

   Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz is a practical guide to negotiation that draws on the author's extensive experience as an international FBI hostage negotiator, focusing on psychological strategies rather than traditional compromise.

   Recommended

   “I actually just read this really great book that is slightly tangential, but I thought it really applied to this type of basically getting people to align on decisions. It's by Chris Voss.”

   Nickey Skarstad Nickey Skarstad (Airbnb, Etsy, Shopify, Duolingo) on translating visio… 2022-07-18 ▶ Play 38:22

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   Thinking in Systems

   Donella Meadows · at 41:56 · mentioned 2 times

   Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella Meadows is an accessible introductory guide to systems thinking that explores how complex structures operate and how individuals can model reality to improve strategic decision-making.

   Recommended

   “A great book to read if you are a product person is Thinking in Systems by Danella Meadows. It's just about like really thinking through how systems work.”

   Nickey Skarstad Nickey Skarstad (Airbnb, Etsy, Shopify, Duolingo) on translating visio… 2022-07-18 ▶ Play 41:56

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon