S2 | Episode #18 - Scott Weiss - Chief Product Officer at XO Life - "Design, Product, and Beyond"

The Technology Leadership Podcast

About Scott
Scott Weiss is the Chief Product Officer at XO Life, a leading technology company specialising in healthcare solutions. With a diverse background in design and product management, Scott has worked across the globe in the UK, US, and Germany.
Scott began his career at Apple, where he worked on interface. He then transitioned to Microsoft, where he served as a program manager and worked on products such as Schedule Plus, which eventually became Outlook. Throughout his career, Scott has held leadership positions in design and product at various companies.
Synopsis
In this episode of the Technology Leadership Podcast, Scott Weiss, Chief Product Officer at XO Life shares his interesting career journey, starting from working at Apple and Microsoft to becoming a product leader. He discusses the intersection of design and product, highlighting the importance of understanding user needs and the skills he brings from his design background. Scott also talks about the evolution of XO Life's product, focusing on drug efficacy and providing users with personalised medical records. The episode explores the design sprint approach used by XO Life for rapid iteration and market fit, as well as the benefits of incorporating design in product-focused companies.
Key Takeaways

• Design plays a crucial role in product leadership, as showcased by Scott Weiss's journey from design to Chief Product Officer at XO Life.
• Effective communication and collaboration are vital for building a strong product team and fostering a culture of learning and growth.
• Hiring and mentoring junior talent can be a strategic investment, allowing them to learn from experienced professionals and contribute fresh perspectives.
• Hiring challenges in the current competitive environment require smarter hiring practices and finding candidates who are genuinely passionate about the product.

Episode Outline
[00:09] Meet Scott
[02:26] The career progression from design to product leadership
[08:01] Personalized digital health platform for medication management
[10:37] Product management approaches and design sprints
[23:28] Design sprint process and problem-solving framework.
[32:03] Hiring and evaluating talent in a tech company.
[34:44] Hiring and mentoring junior product managers.