Deep Work

Key Takeaways:

• Deep work is essential but often deprioritized. Many product leaders know they should spend time on strategic thinking but struggle to justify it.
• Guilt is a major barrier. Many leaders feel bad about blocking off time for reflection, fearing it takes away from “real work.”
• Deep thinking improves team alignment. Setting aside time for structured thought helps leaders assess their team’s needs, challenges, and motivations.
• Strategy requires dedicated focus time. Updating or refining product strategy isn’t something you can do in 15-minute increments—it requires intentional, uninterrupted work.
• Protecting your calendar is a leadership skill. Building deep work habits means creating systems that make space for what matters most.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Teresa Torres: https://ProductTalk.org
• Follow Petra Wille: https://Petra-Wille.com

Mentioned in the episode:

• Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule by Paul Graham
• Petra's Illustration of Maker's vs. Manager's Schedule
• Deep Work by Cal Newport
• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
• Beating the drum of your product strategy tune- Megan Murphy’s talk at Mind The Product
• I’m Glad We All Agree by Jeff Patton
• Reclaim.ai
• Continuous Discovery Habits