The Path to Product Success: Principles for Driving Results

Recently, I had an opportunity to listen to the episode of Lenny’s Podcast featuring Shreyas Doshi, where he shared some truly impactful product management principles. These insights struck a chord with me, and I felt compelled to reflect on them—because they aren't just theoretical, they're deeply actionable. Here's what resonated with me and why I believe every PM should explore these principles:

1. The Power of Pre-Mortems

Unlike traditional post-mortems that analyze failure after the fact, pre-mortems encourage teams to imagine a project has already failed—before it even starts. The question is simple but powerful: “Why did this fail?”

By identifying:

• Tigers – Real threats

• Paper Tigers – Illusions of threats

• Elephants – Problems hiding in plain sight

…teams can develop better foresight and strategies. It’s a mindset shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive risk-mitigation. I love how this approach bakes reflection and realism into planning itself.

2. The LNO Framework for Time Management

Not all tasks are created equal. Shreyas’s LNO Framework helps categorize them into:

• L – Leverage Tasks: High-impact tasks that deserve your best energy and effort.

• N – Neutral Tasks: Require decent quality, but don’t warrant over-investment of time or energy.

• O – Overhead Tasks: Need to be completed, but not perfectly.

A subtle yet powerful takeaway? Don’t manage hours—manage energy. Save your best self for high-leverage tasks and schedule low-stakes tasks when energy dips. As someone who often struggles with prioritization, this hit hard.

3. Three Levels of Product Work

Shreyas defines product work as existing on three planes:

• Execution Level – Tasks and to-do lists

• Impact Level – The outcomes those tasks drive

• Optics Level – How that work is perceived externally

The issue arises when different team members are operating at different levels without realizing it. You might think you’re arguing about strategy when you’re actually clashing over optics. Recognizing and aligning across these levels can dramatically reduce internal friction and elevate decision-making.

4. Execution Problems = Problem Trading

In complex environments, solving one problem often means inviting another. Shreyas reframed this as “problem trading” instead of “problem solving.”

Instead of aiming for zero problems (an illusion), ask:
👉 Which problems are worth accepting in exchange for bigger wins?

He also highlighted a shift from ROI-thinking (short-term optimization) to Opportunity Cost-thinking (long-term value creation). This was an eye-opener. ROI thinking is tempting because it's measurable. But opportunity cost thinking demands vision—and often yields the bigger payoff.

5. High Agency: The Game Changer Mindset

High agency is the capacity to take action regardless of external constraints. High-agency people don’t wait for permission or ideal conditions. They create momentum even in chaos.

Shreyas described them as the folks who ask, “What can I do with what I have—right now?”
This mindset is indispensable in product roles, which are defined by ambiguity, shifting priorities, and ever-evolving customer needs.

Closing Thoughts

Shreyas Doshi’s insights are more than just principles—they're mental models for navigating complexity. Whether you're an aspiring PM or a seasoned one, internalizing these could be the difference between surviving and thriving in your role. I’m certainly walking away with a new playbook.