The 30-Minute List: October 15, 2026
I spend a lot of time reading about work, technology, leadership, and whatever else catches my attention that week. My problem is that I tend to save far more articles and podcasts than I actually get around to finishing.
So I'm starting a little weekly series to share the things I find genuinely interesting.
The idea is simple: a handful of good reads and listens, each something you can get through in 30 minutes or less. Something for your lunch break, morning coffee, or the 15 minutes you have between meetings.
Here's what's on my list this week.
ONE // What Top Performers Do Differently with AI
Harvard Business Review | October 8
I've been thinking a lot about what actually separates people who are getting value from AI at work from people who are just experimenting with it.
This HBR article looks at whether AI helps close the gap between high and low performers or actually makes that gap bigger. It's an interesting question, especially as AI becomes part of more people's everyday workflows.
I'm particularly interested in the idea that the biggest benefits may come from how people organize their work around AI, rather than simply how often they use it.
TWO // How to Make Yourself Memorable in Any Conversation
Think Fast, Talk Smart | Episode 331 | October 12 | 24-minute listen
I love the premise of this episode: what can a professional matchmaker teach us about being better conversationalists?
Matt Abrahams talks with matchmaker and dating coach Rachel Greenwald about making small talk more interesting, asking better questions, and building connections that go beyond the usual introductions.
One idea I particularly liked was preparing a few ways to move conversations toward something more meaningful. It's surprisingly applicable to professional networking, especially when you're meeting a lot of new people at a conference or work event. A lot of good takeaways on what your brand is.
It's a good reminder that being memorable in a conversation doesn't necessarily mean being the most outgoing person in the room.
THREE // Does Every Product Team Actually Need Product Managers?
Lenny's Podcast | August 2 | 1 hr 24 min (not actually 30 minutes but three valuable 30 minute chunks!)
As a product manager, I couldn't exactly scroll past a podcast episode titled "This CPO Regrets That Product Management Exists."
Lenny talks with Tom Verrilli, the Chief Product Officer at Whatnot, about why the company questioned the need for traditional product management roles in the first place.
I think it's an interesting question, especially as the boundaries between product, engineering, and design continue to shift. I actually ended up agreeing with him- the number of PMs you need is very low, though I wonder how many are actually TPMs that do technical work without just prioritizing things for dev teams. It also relates to the Peter Sellis episode- which I am almost through and will likely include in next week's list.
I'm always interested in how other companies organize their product teams, and whether the processes we've come to consider standard are actually helping people build better products.
FOUR // High Performers Need Different Leadership
Frank Bennett, Leadership & Strategy | July 29
This one isn't from this week, but the topic feels timeless.
It's about something that happens to dependable employees: the better you get at your job, the less attention you sometimes receive from your manager.
It makes sense in a way. Managers are busy, and the person who consistently delivers doesn't require as much intervention.
But there's a difference between giving someone autonomy and forgetting that they still need mentorship, feedback, and opportunities to grow.
I think this is a useful read whether you're managing a team or trying to figure out how to take the next step in your own career.
FIVE // The Future of Work, and Making It Work for You
Sarah Reilly Engel, Be Known Weekly | October 4
I've been thinking a lot lately about how much the traditional career playbook is changing. The advice that worked ten years ago doesn't necessarily apply anymore, especially with AI changing how we work and companies rethinking what they need from employees.
This article explores what those changes mean for our careers, from shifting expectations around job security to the growing importance of being adaptable.
What interests me most is how much more responsibility we're being asked to take for our own career development. Being good at your job is important, but so is understanding where your industry is going and making sure you're developing skills that will continue to matter.
It's a good read if you've been wondering what you should actually be doing to prepare for the next few years of work.
That's my list for the week!
I'm hoping to make this a regular weekly feature, with a mix of career advice, interesting research, technology, podcasts, and whatever else I think is worth sharing.
If you've read or listened to something particularly good lately, I'd love to hear about it. I'm always looking for recommendations.
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