How Revolut trains world-class product managers: The “local CEO” model, raw intellect over experience, and a cultural obsession with building wow products | Dmitry Zlokazov (Head of Product)

This episode explores Revolut's approach to building a high-performing product team and fostering product leadership, contrasting experience with raw intellect and a hunger to build. Dmitry Zlokazov, Global Head of Product at Revolut, shares insights into Revolut's unique "product owner" model, where product managers act as "local CEOs" with end-to-end responsibility, emphasizing ownership, depth in problem-solving, and a focus on creating "wow" products. Against the backdrop of Revolut's rapid growth and diverse product offerings across 50 countries, the discussion pivots to hiring strategies, prioritizing raw intellect and passion over extensive experience, often sourcing talent from within the company or from startups. More significantly, the episode highlights Revolut's flat hierarchy and founder involvement, ensuring a high bar for product quality and customer experience, while also granting product owners autonomy and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit. For instance, Revolut's ability to ship new credit products in a new country every month is attributed to its platform-based approach, small, empowered teams, and a culture of accountability. The conversation also touches on the importance of direct customer engagement and a willingness to "get things done," even amidst regulatory complexities, reflecting emerging industry patterns of prioritizing speed, quality, and customer-centricity in product development.