EP63: Beyond Goals: Puzzle Solving & The Cure for "Stormtrooperism" with Radhika Dutt
Fri Nov 28 2025
Do you feel like you're constantly working hard but staying in the same place? Radhika Dutt calls this "Stormtrooperism"—where we follow orders and stay busy without hitting the target.
In this episode, Petra sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, serial entrepreneur, and an MIT alum who speaks nine languages. Radhika challenges the toxic culture of endless goal-setting and introduces a more human, intuitive approach to life and business: Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving.
We dive deep into how to stop chasing arbitrary achievements and start creating genuine change. From her experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid to successfully exiting five companies, Radhika shares profound insights on trusting yourself and redefining what success actually looks like.
She introduces the concept of Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving—a framework that replaces rigid goal-setting with curiosity, observation, and adaptation.
We discuss:
Why vision is about the change you want to make, not the revenue you want to earn.
How to trust your intuition and unpack the need to constantly "prove" yourself.
The "OHLA" framework for navigating uncertainty in business and life.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for more fulfillment, this episode will teach you how to stop pivoting aimlessly and start solving the right puzzles.
Links:
https://rdutt.com
https://www.radicalproduct.com
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Do you feel like you're constantly working hard but staying in the same place? Radhika Dutt calls this "Stormtrooperism"—where we follow orders and stay busy without hitting the target. In this episode, Petra sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, serial entrepreneur, and an MIT alum who speaks nine languages. Radhika challenges the toxic culture of endless goal-setting and introduces a more human, intuitive approach to life and business: Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving. We dive deep into how to stop chasing arbitrary achievements and start creating genuine change. From her experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid to successfully exiting five companies, Radhika shares profound insights on trusting yourself and redefining what success actually looks like. She introduces the concept of Puzzle Setting and Puzzle Solving—a framework that replaces rigid goal-setting with curiosity, observation, and adaptation. We discuss: Why vision is about the change you want to make, not the revenue you want to earn. How to trust your intuition and unpack the need to constantly "prove" yourself. The "OHLA" framework for navigating uncertainty in business and life. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for more fulfillment, this episode will teach you how to stop pivoting aimlessly and start solving the right puzzles. Links: https://rdutt.com https://www.radicalproduct.com