Michal Lasman

Hey,

Episode 14 of the podcast is live!

This week, I sat down with Michal Lasman, a product marketing leader turned executive coach, to talk about something more marketers and managers need to pay attention to:

👉 How to lead with empathy, clarity, and trust — without performing some version of “ideal leadership.”

Michal has spent years building teams, mentoring PMMs, and now coaching leaders across tech and marketing.
What stood out most was how deeply he cares about communication, listening, and helping people show up as their real selves.

We had a grounded, honest conversation about soft skills, feedback, coaching, and what it really takes to grow into a better leader — especially in fast-moving, high-pressure roles.

Listen on:

• Apple Podcast

• Spotify

• Youtube

What we talked about:

• Why soft skills like listening and self-awareness are now must-haves for modern leadership

• The difference between managing and coaching — and why it matters more than ever

• How to give feedback that builds trust, not fear

• Why clarity in communication is a leadership superpower

• What it means to truly support your team without needing all the answers

• How product marketers can grow into impactful leaders — without changing who they are

• And why leadership isn’t a performance — it’s a practice you develop over time

A few key learnings:

• Soft skills aren’t “nice-to-haves” anymore — listening, self-awareness, and emotional clarity are essential for building trust and leading effectively.

• Most performance issues aren’t about skill — they’re rooted in unclear communication, mismatched expectations, or a lack of safety in the team.

• Coaching and managing are different — coaching is about asking the right questions and holding space, not giving advice or fixing things.

• Leadership isn’t a role, it’s a relationship — how you show up, listen, and communicate directly impacts how your team performs.

• Clarity is a gift — simplifying your message and aligning your language can completely shift how teams operate and execute.

• You don’t have to perform leadership — the best leaders are real, grounded, and open to learning.

Episode Chapters – Barney O’Kelly: Be Seen, Make Friends

00:00 – Intro
03:10 – Why Michal shifted from PMM to coaching
06:30 – Where most managers go wrong
10:00 – How better communication fixes bigger problems
14:40 – Coaching vs. managing: what changes
18:10 – Giving feedback that strengthens trust
22:30 – Self-awareness as a leadership skill
27:00 – Listening in high-pressure environments
32:20 – Lessons from coaching fast-paced teams
36:10 – Leading as a practice, not a performance
44:00 – Advice for PMMs who want to lead better
51:00 – Where to find and connect with Michal

Thank you for being part of this journey, let me know what you think of my podcast, any feedback is more than welcome.

Your support means the world to me, and I can't wait to share more episodes with you.

P.S. Do it Your Way 🧭

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Ivan