Gibson Biddle

Product leadership coach and writer of the “Ask Gib” newsletter. Former VP of Product at Netflix and Chief Product Officer at Chegg; speaks and runs workshops on product strategy.

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What they believe

Well-run product organizations still get their strategic decisions right less than half the time.

Even world-class product organizations get it right less than half the time.

askgib.substack.comSaid 5 Mar 2025This on korrents
Developing a company's product strategy is an iterative, top-down/bottom-up process where the leader's work and the team's work eventually converge.

Developing a strategy is an iterative, tops-down/bottoms-up process, where the work of the overall product leader and the folks who work for him/her eventually meet in the middle.

askgib.substack.comSaid 7 Jan 2025This on korrents

The bold line is korrents’ wording; the quote is theirs. These 2: what they wrote before what they said aloud, one per source, newest first.

All 20 beliefs, on korrents

Feed

As its own page →

Everything, newest first — across every channel.

Sources

5 March 2025

Gibson BiddleKorrents 5 Mar 2025

From one piece "Ask Gib": A Summary of my Product Strategy Frameworks 3 beliefs · askgib.substack.com

korrents.com
Product strategy is developed through an iterative combination of top-down and bottom-up work.

product management

Their words

Developing a product strategy is an iterative, top-down/bottoms-up process.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Average-based proxy metrics tend to obscure important variation in underlying data.

Their words

Generally, avoid averages for proxy metrics as they hide important nuances and variations in the data.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Well-run product organizations still get their strategic decisions right less than half the time.

Their words

Even world-class product organizations get it right less than half the time.

askgib.substack.com

7 January 2025

Gibson BiddleKorrents 7 Jan 2025

korrents.com
Developing a company's product strategy is an iterative, top-down/bottom-up process where the leader's work and the team's work eventually converge.

product management

Their words

Developing a strategy is an iterative, tops-down/bottoms-up process, where the work of the overall product leader and the folks who work for him/her eventually meet in the middle.

askgib.substack.com

15 March 2023

Gibson BiddleKorrents 15 Mar 2023

From one piece Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?" 3 beliefs · askgib.substack.com

korrents.com
Job candidates must identify their passion, purpose, and ideal role in a company before searching for work.

Their words

Candidates must identify their passion, purpose, and ideal role in a company.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?"askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Many employees who become dissatisfied with their jobs are too afraid to make a change.

Their words

Too many employees become dissatisfied with their job but don't dare to make a change.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?"askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
People in someone's professional network tend to forget about them unless reminded regularly.

Their words

there's a substantial "out of sight, out of mind" phenomenon, so it's important to remind folks what you seek.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?"askgib.substack.com

22 November 2022

Gibson BiddleKorrents 22 Nov 2022

From one piece "Ask Gib": What systems are most effective for giving feedback to employees? 3 beliefs · askgib.substack.com

korrents.com
A culture of direct feedback and debate leads to faster decisions and quicker learning than a culture of politics and second-guessing.

politics

Their words

While other companies "shishpered" and second-guessed decisions, direct feedback and debate helped us to make decisions faster and to learn and evolve more quickly.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Employees who deliver results but cannot put the company first make it impossible to build trust and a culture of open, honest communication.

Their words

Jerks deliver results but cannot put the company first, making it impossible to develop trust and create a culture of open, honest communication.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
People tend to regard feedback as overly critical, no matter how it is delivered.

Their words

No matter the delivery, most folks regard feedback as overly critical.

askgib.substack.com

30 August 2022

Gibson BiddleRecommends 30 Aug 2022

Recommendsrcmnd.app
Product Growth

Their words

Concise reads on product, tech and strategy with lots of examples and juicy cases.

askgib.substack.com

20 May 2022

Gibson BiddleRecommends 20 May 2022

Recommendsrcmnd.app
Behind the Craft

Their words

Focused on community and leading edge tech like Web3, NFTs and the next wave of tools and technology.

askgib.substack.com

3 May 2022

Gibson BiddleKorrents 3 May 2022

From one piece "Ask Gib": How should Netflix's product strategy change, given its recent earnings chaos? 2 beliefs · askgib.substack.com

korrents.com
Predicting how much new content will drive growth is more art than science.

Their words

However, predicting how much new content will drive growth is still more art than science.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Companies create long-term customer and shareholder value by pursuing product strategies that delight customers in ways that are hard to copy and improve the business.

Their words

The point of the DHM model: pursue strategies that delight customers, are hard to copy, and improve the business. That's how companies create both long-term customer and shareholder value.

askgib.substack.com

29 April 2022

Gibson BiddleRecommends 29 Apr 2022

Recommendsrcmnd.app
Not Boring by Packy McCormick

Their words

In-depth writing on some of today's most interesting new technologies and businesses.

askgib.substack.com

19 April 2022

Gibson BiddleKorrents 19 Apr 2022

From one piece Ask Gib: "What specifics in a daily routine separate a good Product Manager from a great Product Manager?" 2 beliefs · askgib.substack.com

korrents.com
Hard work drives career success only up to a point, after which its returns diminish.

Their words

Career success is about hard work to deliver results, but there are diminishing returns.

askgib.substack.com
korrents.com
Meetings are the biggest drag on a professional's schedule.

Their words

If a meeting is required, make the most of it, as meetings are the biggest drag on your schedule.

askgib.substack.com

25 March 2022

Gibson BiddleRecommends 25 Mar 2022

Recommendsrcmnd.app
The Profile

Their words

In-depth writing on interesting people of our times.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
Perspectives

Their words

Helping you to navigate your career.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
Lenny’s Newsletter

Their words

A vast library of product management resources.

askgib.substack.com

10 March 2022

Gibson BiddleKorrents 10 Mar 2022

korrents.com
A product leader must always be able to say what comes after the current strategy, not just execute it.

Their words

The GLEE model is never "done." As a product leader, you always need to describe what's next.

askgib.substack.com

5 August 2021

Gibson BiddleRecommends 5 Aug 2021

Lovedrcmnd.app
Powerful

Their words

Patty ran HR at Netflix and advocates radical honesty

askgib.substack.com
Lovedrcmnd.app
Obviously Awesome

Their words

This book focuses on startup strategy and positioning.

askgib.substack.com
Lovedrcmnd.app
Take Back Your Power

Their words

For women in tech, how to unstack the deck against you in your workplace and careers.

askgib.substack.com

+ 5 more

Recommendsrcmnd.app
Stratechery

Their words

The original strategy newsletter.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
First Round Review

Their words

A treasure trove for consumer and enterprise technology companies.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
Remains of the Day

Their words

He always has an interesting take on products.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
How I Built This

Their words

Like my startup books, each of these podcasts gives insight into product and strategy.

askgib.substack.com
Recommendsrcmnd.app
How to Build an Iconic Company

Their words

These are three-minute podcasts that talk about startups, leadership, management, and strategy.

askgib.substack.com

The whole feed →

Beliefs

Korrents What they believe 20 beliefs — each backed by an exact quote.
Each is a — compiled by korrents.com, not by them: the one-line wordings are korrents', the quotes are theirs.
Recent
- Well-run product organizations still get their strategic decisions right less than half the time.
  
  Even world-class product organizations get it right less than half the time.
  
  "Ask Gib": A Summary of my Product Strategy Frameworks Said 5 Mar 2025
  
  Full record — everyone who holds this →
- Average-based proxy metrics tend to obscure important variation in underlying data.
  
  Generally, avoid averages for proxy metrics as they hide important nuances and variations in the data.
  
  "Ask Gib": A Summary of my Product Strategy Frameworks Said 5 Mar 2025
  
  Full record — everyone who holds this →
- Product strategy is developed through an iterative combination of top-down and bottom-up work.
  
  Developing a product strategy is an iterative, top-down/bottoms-up process.
  
  "Ask Gib": A Summary of my Product Strategy Frameworks Said 5 Mar 2025
  
  Full record — everyone who holds this →
  
  product management
Show 17 more

Developing a company's product strategy is an iterative, top-down/bottom-up process where the leader's work and the team's work eventually converge.

Developing a strategy is an iterative, tops-down/bottoms-up process, where the work of the overall product leader and the folks who work for him/her eventually meet in the middle.

Ask Gib: "How do all your product strategy frameworks fit together? Said 7 Jan 2025

Full record — everyone who holds this →

product management

People in someone's professional network tend to forget about them unless reminded regularly.

there's a substantial "out of sight, out of mind" phenomenon, so it's important to remind folks what you seek.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?" Said 15 Mar 2023

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Many employees who become dissatisfied with their jobs are too afraid to make a change.

Too many employees become dissatisfied with their job but don't dare to make a change.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?" Said 15 Mar 2023

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Job candidates must identify their passion, purpose, and ideal role in a company before searching for work.

Candidates must identify their passion, purpose, and ideal role in a company.

Ask Gib: "How did you find your job at Netflix?" Said 15 Mar 2023

Full record — everyone who holds this →

People tend to regard feedback as overly critical, no matter how it is delivered.

No matter the delivery, most folks regard feedback as overly critical.

"Ask Gib": What systems are most effective for giving feedback to employees? Said 22 Nov 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Employees who deliver results but cannot put the company first make it impossible to build trust and a culture of open, honest communication.

Jerks deliver results but cannot put the company first, making it impossible to develop trust and create a culture of open, honest communication.

"Ask Gib": What systems are most effective for giving feedback to employees? Said 22 Nov 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

A culture of direct feedback and debate leads to faster decisions and quicker learning than a culture of politics and second-guessing.

While other companies "shishpered" and second-guessed decisions, direct feedback and debate helped us to make decisions faster and to learn and evolve more quickly.

"Ask Gib": What systems are most effective for giving feedback to employees? Said 22 Nov 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

politics

Companies create long-term customer and shareholder value by pursuing product strategies that delight customers in ways that are hard to copy and improve the business.

The point of the DHM model: pursue strategies that delight customers, are hard to copy, and improve the business. That's how companies create both long-term customer and shareholder value.

"Ask Gib": How should Netflix's product strategy change, given its recent earnings chaos? Said 3 May 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Predicting how much new content will drive growth is more art than science.

However, predicting how much new content will drive growth is still more art than science.

"Ask Gib": How should Netflix's product strategy change, given its recent earnings chaos? Said 3 May 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Meetings are the biggest drag on a professional's schedule.

If a meeting is required, make the most of it, as meetings are the biggest drag on your schedule.

Ask Gib: "What specifics in a daily routine separate a good Product Manager from a great Product Manager?" Said 19 Apr 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Hard work drives career success only up to a point, after which its returns diminish.

Career success is about hard work to deliver results, but there are diminishing returns.

Ask Gib: "What specifics in a daily routine separate a good Product Manager from a great Product Manager?" Said 19 Apr 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

A product leader must always be able to say what comes after the current strategy, not just execute it.

The GLEE model is never "done." As a product leader, you always need to describe what's next.

Gib: Given you have been out of Netflix for a while, could you humor us and create a new Netflix vision based on where they are now? (Their GLEE is over, right?) Said 10 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

A new feature's near-term value is improved retention; its longer-term value is the ability to raise prices.

In the short term, the margin-enhancement opportunity is improved retention. But over time, the big margin opportunity is higher prices.

Gib: Given you have been out of Netflix for a while, could you humor us and create a new Netflix vision based on where they are now? (Their GLEE is over, right?) Said 10 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

Netflix's next major strategic expansion will be into gaming.

I think that the next big step for Netflix is "Expand into gaming."

Gib: Given you have been out of Netflix for a while, could you humor us and create a new Netflix vision based on where they are now? (Their GLEE is over, right?) Said 10 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

video games

Great product leaders cannot be reliably identified through an interview; you only find out by hiring them and seeing what happens.

It's almost impossible to identify great product leaders through an interview. You just have to take your best shot at identifying them, then hire them to see if it works out.

How do YOU differentiate between good and great product leaders? Said 1 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

hiring

An organization's culture is the accumulated judgment built up over time, and that judgment is what helps people make good decisions about people, products, and the business.

Over time, culture forms the accumulated judgment of the organization, helping individuals to make great decisions about people, products, and the business.

How do YOU differentiate between good and great product leaders? Said 1 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →

The best leaders don't just fit into an existing company culture — their own skills and behavior actively define what that culture is.

Great product leaders actually define the company culture through their skills and behaviors.

How do YOU differentiate between good and great product leaders? Said 1 Mar 2022

Full record — everyone who holds this →
All 20 beliefs →

What is a korrent?

A korrent is a belief a person has stated in their own words: one sentence stating the claim, backed by a quote and a source, kept at korrents.com.

Under a name here, the quoted block is what they actually said. The korrent beneath it is the claim those words support, in korrents' wording — tap it to see the record, its source, and who else holds it.

Nobody here wrote their own korrents. They are compiled from public statements, and a person can change their mind, which is recorded too.

Recommends rcmnd

rcmnd What they recommend 24 things, 25 mentions — each backed by an exact quote.
Compiled by rcmnd.app, not by them: the quotes are theirs, and each links to the post it was copied from.
Recent
- Recommends Product Growth 30 Aug 2022
  
  Concise reads on product, tech and strategy with lots of examples and juicy cases.
  
  askgib.substack.com 30 Aug 2022
  
  What others say about Product Growth →
- Recommends Behind the Craft 20 May 2022
  
  Focused on community and leading edge tech like Web3, NFTs and the next wave of tools and technology.
  
  askgib.substack.com 20 May 2022
  
  What others say about Behind the Craft →
- Recommends Not Boring by Packy McCormick 29 Apr 2022
  
  In-depth writing on some of today's most interesting new technologies and businesses.
  
  askgib.substack.com 29 Apr 2022
  
  What others say about Not Boring by Packy McCormick →
Show 22 more

Recommends Lenny’s Newsletter 25 Mar 2022

A vast library of product management resources.

askgib.substack.com 25 Mar 2022

What others say about Lenny’s Newsletter →

Recommends Perspectives 25 Mar 2022

Helping you to navigate your career.

askgib.substack.com 25 Mar 2022

What others say about Perspectives →

Recommends The Profile 25 Mar 2022

In-depth writing on interesting people of our times.

askgib.substack.com 25 Mar 2022

What others say about The Profile →

Recommends Lenny’s Newsletter 5 Aug 2021

A weekly Substack product newsletter that pulls together lots of highly relevant resources.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Lenny’s Newsletter →

Recommends How to Build an Iconic Company 5 Aug 2021

These are three-minute podcasts that talk about startups, leadership, management, and strategy.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about How to Build an Iconic Company →

Recommends How I Built This 5 Aug 2021

Like my startup books, each of these podcasts gives insight into product and strategy.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about How I Built This →

Recommends Remains of the Day 5 Aug 2021

He always has an interesting take on products.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Remains of the Day →

Recommends First Round Review 5 Aug 2021

A treasure trove for consumer and enterprise technology companies.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about First Round Review →

Recommends Stratechery 5 Aug 2021

The original strategy newsletter.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Stratechery →

Loved Take Back Your Power 5 Aug 2021

For women in tech, how to unstack the deck against you in your workplace and careers.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Take Back Your Power →

Loved Obviously Awesome 5 Aug 2021

This book focuses on startup strategy and positioning.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Obviously Awesome →

Loved Powerful 5 Aug 2021

Patty ran HR at Netflix and advocates radical honesty

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Powerful →

Loved That Will Never Work 5 Aug 2021

Marc was the co-founder of Netflix. He chronicles the very early days.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about That Will Never Work →

Loved The Everything Store 5 Aug 2021

The Amazon startup story.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about The Everything Store →

Recommends Whistleblower 5 Aug 2021

This book forces you to reflect on the “Bro” culture in Silicon Valley. This is a must-read, and Susan’s early upbringing is fascinating.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Whistleblower →

Loved Steve Jobs 5 Aug 2021

Excellent writer.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Steve Jobs →

Loved No Filter 5 Aug 2021

From startup to acquisition by Facebook.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about No Filter →

Loved Elon Musk 5 Aug 2021

This has three startup stories in one book

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Elon Musk →

Loved Moneyball 5 Aug 2021

This book framed my initial thinking on the importance of metrics.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Moneyball →

Loved The Innovator's Dilemma 5 Aug 2021

This was the bible at Netflix. The management team read this book each year then discussed it as a team.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about The Innovator's Dilemma →

Loved Zero to One 5 Aug 2021

This is an extremely well-written book focused on startup product strategy.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about Zero to One →

Loved 7 Powers 5 Aug 2021

This book describes the foundation required for building a “hard to copy” advantage.

askgib.substack.com 5 Aug 2021

What others say about 7 Powers →
All 25 recommendations →

Where they publish

Site gibsonbiddle.com His site for talks and workshops on product leadership.

Open gibsonbiddle.com

Link verified 5 Sept 2026.
Newsletter Ask Gib His newsletter of essays on product strategy and product-leadership careers.

Open askgib.substack.com

Link verified 5 Sept 2026.
x.com @gibsonbiddle His X account.

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Link verified 5 Sept 2026.

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