8/17/2025

I’m starting to call these the “apple pie positions” => the personal risk of pushing back is so high that almost everyone nods “yes”, even though it is rarely the right answer f...

26 tweets

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Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

I’m starting to call these the “apple pie positions” => the personal risk of pushing back is so high that almost everyone nods “yes”, even though it is rarely the right answer for the team / company / user. Great example in the quoted Tweet. Will add more in the thread below:

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #1: We need more scalable processes.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #2: We need to define the success metrics for <whatever is being discussed>.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #3: We need incentives and priorities to be aligned across all of the teams working on <whatever is being discussed>.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #4: We need a weekly [check-in || update || executive review] to keep all the stakeholders in the loop.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #5: We need to stop thinking tactically and think strategically. Sometimes seen in the wild as: We shouldn't miss the forest for the trees. AND We need to zoom out a bit.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #6: We need more executive buy in before we can execute on <whatever is being discussed>.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #7: We don't expect the business to grow a whole lot this year because we are laying the foundation for massive growth in future years. (fast forward: the promised massive growth never actually materializes)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #8: We have too many meetings.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #9: We need to sync more often.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #10: We need more apple pie! (this one I agree with entirely)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #11: We need better metrics before making a decision here.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #12: We need a better go-to-market strategy to improve product adoption.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #14: We need an offsite!

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #15: We need to do a retrospective to determine the systemic changes that are necessary. Also seen in the wild as: We need to post-mortem this.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple position #16: We need to clarify our expectations from people in this role so we can set them up for success. Also seen in the wild as: We need a better career ladder for this role. AND The reason this role isn't impactful yet is that role expectations are unclear.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #17: We need [person being discussed] to be more strategic and less tactical.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #18: We need more internal documentation!

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #19: We shouldn't forget [quote one of the company's core values]. (often used as a tool to justify one's position, especially when faced with rational counter-arguments)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #20: We need to replace our team meeting with written updates. Fast forward a few weeks/months: People are missing live interactions with team members, they don't know what's going on across the team, nobody's reading the written updates. We need a meeting.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #21: Our current org structure doesn't set us up for optimal execution of our strategic goals. That's why we are announcing a re-org.

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #22: Remember, we need to hire for strengths not a lack of weakness. (usually employed to justify hiring a highly pedigreed person for an important role)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #23: We must not slow down our shipping velocity. (usually applied to push back against a fairly rational measure that will cause a minor delay in shipping the product but will prevent bigger problems for the user / company further down the road)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #24: [A] We have done tremendous user research over the past 3 months and have identified these [top N] product gaps. We are confident that product adoption will soar once we address these gaps within the next [M] months. Fast forward M months: goto [A]

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Apple pie position #25: Remember, we are a mission-driven company. (particularly effective in justifying below-market compensation for current and prospective employees)

Shreyas Doshi

@shreyas

Which ones did I miss? Feel free to add your most favorite (or least favorite) Apple Pie Positions in replies or retweets.

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I’m starting to call these the “apple pie positions” =&gt; the personal risk of pushing back is so high that almost everyone nods “yes”, even though it is rarely the right answer f...

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I’m starting to call these the “apple pie positions” => the personal risk of pushing back is so high that almost everyone nods “yes”, even though it is rarely the right answer f...