Growing Forward: Lead like the top 1% in growth, marketing, & product

Andrew Capland
  • 4.8 (10)
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This show helps you uncover the leadership skills and inner game that separate the top 1% from everyone else - and make the leap from high-performing IC to true leader. Unlike other shows that focus on tactics or playbooks, we explore the human side of growth. In every episode, a growth, marketing, or product leader shares the real stories behind their toughest moments - missed goals, hard feedback, identity shifts - and how they grew through them. Hosted by Andrew Capland, Growth Leadership Coach and former Head of Growth at Wistia and Postscript.

  1. I’m begging you to take a one-year deal [Field Notes]

    4D AGO

    I’m begging you to take a one-year deal [Field Notes]

    Swipe my growth resume template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FR6Bbdwg80Hu-6TSz-8aGe4GgIBDukUzYXTdbr4pd0I/edit?tab=t.0 New role? Get my 90-day Growth Leader onboarding plan here: https://deliveringvalue.co/90 In this solo Field Notes episode, I break down a simple but powerful career reframing I’ve been sharing with clients who feel stuck, burned out, or misaligned in their current roles: the idea of treating your next job as a one-year deal. Borrowing from how professional athletes think about their careers, I go over why looking for a great one-year fit instead of a perfect long-term home can lead to better decisions, less pressure, and more momentum, especially once you’re well into your career. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why long-term “forever job” thinking often backfires in fast-changing companiesHow the one-year deal mindset helps you maximize fit, impact, and optionalityWhen this approach makes sense and when it’s better to stay put and build depthThings to listen for: (00:00) Intro to the “One Year Deal” concept (00:29) Example and parallels in an athletic career (01:33) The One Year Deal in a professional context (02:39) Practical application of the One Year Deal (04:30) How to take this further Resources: Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Apply for coaching: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    5 min
  2. Building A Growth Marketer’s 90-Day Plan — in 64 Minutes (Jay Desai)

    FEB 3

    Building A Growth Marketer’s 90-Day Plan — in 64 Minutes (Jay Desai)

    Download my customizable 90 Day Plan here: https://deliveringvalue.co/90 In this episode, Jay Desai, Growth Lead at Navattic, shares his approach to stepping into an early-stage growth role with clarity and purpose. He reflects on how his first 90 days were spent gaining product knowledge, ramping up without burnout, and aligning cross-functional teams around a unified vision of growth. Jay talks about the ambiguity of growth roles and how the early days are about building relationships, learning, and strategic prioritization. He explains how he uses frameworks like “task-relevant maturity” and sprint systems to manage expectations while delivering early wins. Now leading growth at Navattic, Jay discusses his role in designing operating systems, building trust, reducing capacity confusion, and creating a repeatable model for experimentation to drive long-term success. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to architect your first 90 days for impact across product learning, trust-building, and operating system designA practical framework for capacity planning, effort scoring, and balancing quick wins with long-term betsThe most common misalignments growth leaders face and how to proactively prevent themThings to listen for: (00:00) Intro (01:52) Jay’s role and scope at Navattic (03:20) How Navattic defines “growth” (06:03) What feels new vs. familiar in the role (08:37) Why the first 90 days set the tone (17:46) Learning the product and meeting the team (32:42) Capacity limits and prioritizing work (34:16) Tools Jay uses to run growth (38:22) Applying engineering workflows to marketing (49:11) Quick wins vs. long-term initiatives (54:04) When to share the first strategy draft (57:09) Pitfalls that derail growth roles A huge thanks to this episode’s sponsor: Navattic: Interactive Product Demo Software - https://navattic.com/value Resources: Connect with Jay: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayanishdesai/ Navattic: https://navattic.com/value Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    1h 3m
  3. Want a new job in 2026? Do this! [Field Note]

    JAN 26

    Want a new job in 2026? Do this! [Field Note]

    Swipe my growth resume template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FR6Bbdwg80Hu-6TSz-8aGe4GgIBDukUzYXTdbr4pd0I/edit?tab=t.0 New role? Get my 90-day Growth Leader onboarding plan here: https://deliveringvalue.co/90 In this solo episode, I kick off a new series called Field Notes, by walking you through a framework I’ve developed for making resumes clearer, more compelling, and easier for non-experts to understand — especially in growth roles where titles mean wildly different things at different companies. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why most growth resumes fail to show meaningful contextHow the CATER framework helps tell a clearer career storyHow to translate your impact for hiring managers who aren’t “native speakers” of your fieldThings to listen for: (00:00) Intro (01:07) The importance of updating resumes (01:58) Common resume challenges (04:19) Introducing the CATER Framework (04:54) Breaking down the CATER Framework (05:45) Examples and application of CATER (10:12) An invitation for coaching and support Resources: Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Apply for coaching: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    11 min
  4. VP of Product: I was passed over for my dream role… twice! (Scott McNeely)

    JAN 20

    VP of Product: I was passed over for my dream role… twice! (Scott McNeely)

    In this episode, Scott McNeely, Head of Product and founding team member at Epicurate and co-founder of Modern Adventure, traces his journey from “kid with an Apple II+ in his mom’s dessert business” to building and scaling product teams in travel, publishing, and tech. He reflects on growing up in humble circumstances while attending an elite LA boys’ school, stumbling into travel writing, and then helping Lonely Planet and Viator navigate the shift from print to digital products. Along the way, Scott shares how his bias for action, love of ideas, and willingness to figure things out on the fly shaped his career. Scott opens up about the moments when those same strengths became liabilities, like a shouting match over digital transformation with Lonely Planet’s leadership, and the emotional gut punch of being passed over twice for what felt like his perfect VP role. He talks candidly about anger, grief, and self-doubt, and how he rebuilt his confidence by zooming out, leaning on movement and thinking time, and staying curious. From scaling a team from 1 to 65 at Viator to learning to delegate, slow down, and create space for others, Scott offers a grounded, human look at what it really takes to keep growing as a leader. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to read your environment and decide whether to push for change or move on, using Scott’s Lonely Planet experience as a case study.What it really takes to evolve from “get stuff done” operator to leader of a 60+ person team, including delegation, structure, and support systems.A grounded way to rebuild confidence after major setbacks, from being passed over for a dream role twice to anchoring your identity beyond one job.Things to listen for: (00:00) Intro (02:09) Scott’s upbringing and early influences (08:28) Thank you to our sponsor, Navattic (05:53) Early career pivots and first big lessons (13:16) Pushing change and hitting resistance (27:27) Reading your situation with clarity and EQ (28:48) Leadership growing pains and delegation (31:29) Scaling fast teams and personal evolution (42:48) Career setbacks and shaken confidence (52:09) Centering habits for focus and resilience A huge thanks to this episode’s sponsor: Navattic: Interactive Product Demo Software - https://navattic.com/value Resources: Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmcneely Learn about Epicurate: https://epicurate.vip/ Learn about Modern Adventure: https://modernadventure.com/ Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    59 min
  5. The name of this podcast just changed - here's why

    JAN 14

    The name of this podcast just changed - here's why

    In this solo episode, I share the thinking behind a major evolution of the show and its new name: Growing Forward. I walk through what I learned while building the podcast, where the original positioning fell short, and how listener feedback helped clarify the show’s true purpose. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why the original name worked early on, and why it was time to change itWhat listener feedback revealed about who the show is really forHow the new direction centers on growth through real leadership momentsThings to listen for: (00:00) Announcing the new name and why it matters (01:03) How the original name came together (02:19) Early signals the positioning needed work (03:28) What listeners are trying to solve (04:48) Clarifying the show’s new focus (08:58) Inviting listener feedback to shape what’s next Resources: Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    10 min
  6. This Podcast Is Changing. Here’s What’s Coming Next (Behind the Scenes)

    JAN 12

    This Podcast Is Changing. Here’s What’s Coming Next (Behind the Scenes)

    In this special solo episode, I pull back the curtain and share a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the show. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why I started the show - and what I’ve learned after 85 eps.How I’m reshaping the show to blend storytelling with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.Why expanding the format unlocks more impact, more value, and more meaningful connection with listeners like you.Things to listen for: (00:00) Intro (00:32) The journey so far (01:39) Behind the scenes (06:37) The challenge of podcast growth (11:57) The evolution of Delivering Value (15:39) Let’s build together Resources: Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    16 min
  7. “I thought layoffs were for underperformers. Then it happened to me.” (Growth PMM, Vimeo) (Don McGray)

    JAN 6

    “I thought layoffs were for underperformers. Then it happened to me.” (Growth PMM, Vimeo) (Don McGray)

    In this episode, Don McGray, product marketing leader and Head of Growth PMM at Vimeo (formerly Dropbox and Airtable), shares how to separate identity from performance without dialing down ambition. From being told his launch plan was “C-plus work” to navigating a surprise layoff, Don shares the inner-game shifts that helped him rebuild trust, make cleaner calls, and keep moving in high-stakes environments. Don gets specific about executive alignment (and the invisible pre-meeting “backchannel”), the moment he realized he was in the wrong role—and said it out loud—and why cultivating distance from work (and toward real hobbies) made him a steadier operator when pressure spiked. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to detach self-worth from outcomes so feedback, layoffs, and big swings don’t break your momentum.How to earn executive buy-in before “the meeting” and turn harsh input into an actionable A-grade plan.How to diagnose a role misfit early, have the hard conversation, and land where your strengths actually compound.Things to listen for: (00:00) Intro (02:10) Don’s early career (04:37) High stakes and career growth at Dropbox (09:42) Thank you to our sponsor, Navattic (13:50) Lessons from Airtable: handling tough feedback (18:31) Navigating executive expectations (25:04) Facing imposter syndrome (25:25) Struggles in a new role (28:19) The importance of vulnerability (30:10) Navigating career changes (38:32) Handling layoffs and job insecurity (42:58) Balancing work and personal life A huge thanks to this episode’s sponsor: Navattic: Interactive Product Demo Software - https://navattic.com/value Resources: Connect with Don: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donmcgray/ Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    53 min
  8. An Honest Convo About a Challenging 2025 (with Navattic’s Head of Growth) (Natalie Marcotullio)

    12/16/2025

    An Honest Convo About a Challenging 2025 (with Navattic’s Head of Growth) (Natalie Marcotullio)

    In this episode, Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth & Operations at Navattic, looks back on a “rollercoaster” year and what it taught her about role fit, energy management, and leading through constant change. She traces the shift from growth to product marketing amid a noisy AI landscape, a new product line, and a leaner team, and how those forces sparked both imposter syndrome and new clarity about what work fuels her. Natalie opens up about the anxiety of the AI hype cycle, why chasing every new tactic eroded quality and enjoyment, and the candid conversation with her founder that helped reset expectations. She shares how she separates signal from noise, stops pegging self-worth to dashboards, and designs a job around customer proximity, evangelism, and community. Looking ahead, Natalie is doubling down on in-person energy: speaking, hosting, and building fandom around Navattic, including a new customer portal that rewards participation and connection. She offers practical advice for naming burnout early, restructuring scope without guilt, and making mid-term career bets even if you don’t plan to stay in tech forever. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to tell “energizing change” from “draining change,” and reshape your role around the former without dropping the ballA simple script for the hard talk with your exec: mapping “gives energy / drains energy” into concrete scope and support changesHow to build product fandom (not just leads): customer proximity, IRL touchpoints, and a portal play that compounds communityThings to listen for: (00:00) Intro (01:37) Role shifts and team dynamics (02:17) Personal and professional challenges (03:42) Filtering AI hype after SaaStr (04:58) Launching a new product line and persona (11:45) Context switching and the 60% problem (14:03) When work bleeds into life (injury, decompression) (19:09) Q3 burnout and the hard conversation (22:00) The power of honesty in the workplace (22:40) Naming limits, resetting priorities, and role design (27:01) Dreams beyond the tech industry (36:24) Building community and looking ahead A huge thanks to this episode’s sponsor: Navattic: Interactive Product Demo Software - https://navattic.com/value Check out the Behind the Scenes deep dive with the Navattic growth team: Episode 0: Introducing the miniseries featuring the Navattic growth team - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MSAgQcR0mkUjmmLl8fXx0?si=88211b89550c4261 Episode 1: The size and stage of the Navattic business - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ArIOcGmcLPUowPXqxU6Yr?si=510ce12c47734f13 Episode 2: What does growth look like at Navattic? - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rfP8yQu9nVveOQaxqJ06s?si=24c463778d4c4214 Episode 3: What goes into Navattic’s growth strategy? - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GrtQw0Kx1fntD4IBTudb7?si=2847fcce8da4496e Episode 4: Navattic’s growth operating system - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oJRINQlBby7kLFTxcrvY6?si=eebebb0033234ff8 Episode 5: The specific KPIs & dashboards that drive Navattic’s success - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wOunwgXy0AMRsODloAbD3?si=46b9f4e42f754a77 Episode 6: The biggest challenges Natalie and Raman face working in growth at Navattic - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CJmSh7XqFakyxfgotjABg?si=3284a52fc9e64aca Episode 7: How Navattic’s growth team stays aligned and manages expectations internally - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CX7DBGR0VYpEsnXd7rYbj?si=0b1e1729a6404903 Episode 8: Big beats in 2024 and series takeaways - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cxo9wtMJEZqQxCBiSEHdf?si=f91f566ac8f24a6e Check out Natalie’s previous Delivering Value episode: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kQx1DTHdPpGUlY33fHeqK?si=6fd1de234fa84436 Website: https://deliveringvalue.co/pod/navigating-speed-bumps-and-communication-challenges-as-a-one-person-growth-team-with-natalie-marcotullio Resources: Connect with Natalie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marcotullio/ Navattic: https://navattic.com/value Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching Join Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

    43 min
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This show helps you uncover the leadership skills and inner game that separate the top 1% from everyone else - and make the leap from high-performing IC to true leader. Unlike other shows that focus on tactics or playbooks, we explore the human side of growth. In every episode, a growth, marketing, or product leader shares the real stories behind their toughest moments - missed goals, hard feedback, identity shifts - and how they grew through them. Hosted by Andrew Capland, Growth Leadership Coach and former Head of Growth at Wistia and Postscript.

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