Insightful interview! Just remember, context is key; some advice needs a pinch of nuance to really hit the mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ef0juAMqoE

The conversation lacked the necessary nuance, inadvertently portraying the CEO as the ultimate authority. However, the reality in many organizations is that senior leaders seldom engage directly with customers.

When they do participate in occasional customer interviews, their perspectives are at risk of being disproportionately influenced by these infrequent and limited exchanges.

Therefore, it's crucial for leaders to avoid unnecessarily overruling their team's decisions. Instead, they should thoughtfully challenge and encourage the team to think critically about their choices.

Leaders contribute a valuable holistic perspective to these dialogues, offering insights that can be difficult to discern when one is deeply entrenched in the minutiae of a project.

👩🏻‍⚕️ Every leader should be an expert in what they are leading

I couldn't agree more with that point. You often see the product and craft deteriorate when the person at the top doesn't actually know what "great" looks like.

The statement that product manager should be senior role also resonates. After all you need to drive change through influence, and that's hard to do when you don't bring experience and expertise to the table.

5️⃣ teams should do 1️⃣ thing

The nuance missing here is that this doesn't mean 5 teams should work on one feature. Brian said it himself, adding more people can slow things down. But the overall sentiment that a company shouldn't do 1000 different things and focus on a few areas of impact is key.

I love Airbnb's approach to bundling their features into biannual releases, crafting them into a cohesive narrative, even though some features are ready earlier. Whether the frequency is biannual, monthly or weekly really depends on your company and customers.

Bundling features into themes and stories is a great way to communicate them, and if defined early, helps with clarity in the development process as well.

🤔 Product managers should be marketers (or program managers)

This is probably the most controversial statement he made, and unfortunately it wasn't addressed as well as I hoped. It might work for AirBnB, but whether it will work for you will depend on the skillset on your teams and the product category you are in.

Curious to hear your thoughts on the interview. Let me know in the comments 👇

Insightful Interview: The Importance of Context and Nuance

Reports of the death of the product manager are greatly exaggerated.

TikTok videos of "a day in the life of a product manager" did not help the role, that's for sure.

Let's clear up some common misconceptions:

https://www.afr.com/technology/the-death-of-product-managers-spreads-as-dovetail-cuts-roles-20230704-p5dlop

In the article above, a product manager was quoted saying:

“I switched my mentality: instead of becoming the source of ideas, facilitate information to the best people to provide ideas to move the product forward”

But what does a good product manager look like?

One of the first courses on product management I took was from Pragmatic. Their framework provides a great overview of different parts of the role. Throughout their career, a product manager should have been exposed and involved in all of these areas.

What "good" looks like depends heavily on the stage and size of the company, but broadly speaking I tend to focus on the following skills.

1️⃣ Customer Empathy

Great product managers have a deep understanding of customer needs and pain points. They listen to customers, conduct user research, and develop an empathetic perspective.

2️⃣ Strong Communication Skills

Product managers need excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and customers. They can articulate their vision, gather feedback, and influence others to align with the product's goals.

3️⃣ Leadership Abilities

The article points out that product managers don't manage people. That's true, they need to lead people, which is a hello of a lot harder to do. Exceptional product managers can inspire and motivate their teams and drive alignment across an organisation.

4️⃣ Analytical and Data-Informed

The best product managers are adept at analysing data and using it to inform their decisions. They utilise metrics, user feedback, and market insights to measure the product's performance, identify opportunities, and drive continuous improvement.

5️⃣ Adaptability and Agility

Successful product managers can adapt to changing market conditions, customer needs, and business priorities. They embrace an agile mindset to quickly respond to feedback, iterate on the product, and continuously deliver value.

6️⃣ Passion for Learning

The best product managers are lifelong learners. They know that they don't know all the answers. They have a growth mindset, are not afraid to ask for help and are constantly seeking opportunities for personal and professional development.

But the most challenging part is to do all of the above really well when you are deep in the weeds. It's hard to see the forrest for the trees.

Anything I missed? Would love to hear from other PMs what traits you value the most.  @sherifmansour, @anutthara, @johncutlefish

The Misunderstood Role of Product Managers

5 habits to maintaining work-life balance while Running a Startup 🌟

Finding work-life balance as a startup founder is crucial for your well-being and long-term success. Here are 5 habits to help you achieve this delicate balance and thrive. 🧵

Set boundaries:
Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Define specific work hours and stick to them. Avoid checking emails or taking work calls during your personal time. Respect your own limits and communicate them effectively.

Delegate effectively:
You want to get shit done. But you can't do it all. Context switching is a real drain on creativity. Find great people to work and delegate the tasks that you dread.

Prioritize self-care:
Your well-being is vital to your startup's success. Make time for activities that rejuvenate you—exercise, meditation, hobbies, spending time with loved ones. Taking care of yourself helps prevent burnout and fuels your productivity and creativity.

Seek support:
Surround yourself with a supportive network. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, join communities, and seek mentors who understand your challenges. Sharing experiences and seeking advice can provide fresh perspectives and insights.

Remember, work-life balance isn't a destination, but an ongoing journey. Prioritise what truly matters, maintain a healthy perspective, and adapt as needed. Your well-being and happiness are as important as your startup's success.

5 Habits for Work-Life Balance in Startups

Lorem ipsum is dead... learn how to create amazing demo data with ChatGPT.

We used this process to create demo and testing data for our Jira instance, but you can follow the same process for any product.


Creating Amazing Demo Data with ChatGPT

Save up to 64 hours a year with one simple trick... Learn the keyboard shortcuts of the apps you use the most.

You can save an average of 2 seconds per minute by using keyboard shortcuts. If you work an 8-hour day, you could save up to 64 hours per year.

Here are the shortcuts for Twitter to get your started.

Actions:

n = new Tweet
l = like
r = reply
t = Retweet
m = Direct Message
u = mute account
b = block account
enter = open Tweet details
o = expand photo
/ = search
cmd-enter | ctrl-enter = send Tweet

Navigation:

? = full keyboard menu
j = next Tweet
k = previous Tweet
space = page down
. = load new Tweets

Timelines:

g and h = Home timeline
g and o = Moments
g and n = Notifications tab
g and r = Mentions
g and p = profile
g and l = likes tab
g and i = lists tab
g and m = Direct Messages
g and s = Settings and privacy
g and u = go to someone’s profile

You can read the unrolled version of this thread here: https://typefully.com/jensschumacher/NvavmnE

Save Time with Keyboard Shortcuts

Every #1 video game of the year between 1980 and 2020.

1980 - Pac-Man

Pac-Man's addictive gameplay and iconic character design revolutionized the arcade gaming industry. I've played it on an Atari back then.

1981 - Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong introduced the world to the platform genre and featured memorable characters and challenging levels.

1982 - Pitfall!

Pitfall! offered groundbreaking side-scrolling gameplay, immersive jungle environments, and innovative level design.

1983 - Mario Bros.

Mario Bros. introduced multiplayer co-op gameplay and laid the foundation for the Super Mario franchise's success. I loved playing it with my brother!

1984 - Tetris

Tetris' simple yet addictive puzzle mechanics captured players' hearts and became a timeless classic. Everyone's first game on the Game Boy.

1985 -  Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. revolutionized platform gaming with its vibrant graphics, memorable music, and expansive levels. Who doesn't love the plumber?

1986 - The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda introduced open-world exploration, immersive storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

1987 - Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy set the standard for role-playing games with its epic storyline, strategic battles, and immersive world.

1988 - Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3 refined the platforming formula with innovative power-ups, diverse levels, and memorable boss battles.

1989 - SimCity

SimCity allowed players to become virtual city planners, offering a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and simulation.

1990 - The Secret of Monkey Island

The Secret of Monkey Island combined humor, memorable characters, and engaging puzzles, creating a beloved adventure game. A shame they don't really make adventure games anymore.

1991 - Street Fighter II

Street Fighter II revolutionized the fighting game genre with its diverse cast of characters and deep gameplay mechanics. I've spent hours at the arcades because of Street Fighter.

1992 - Wolfenstein 3D

Wolfenstein 3D pioneered the first-person shooter genre, immersing players in fast-paced action and intense gunfights.

1994 - Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans introduced players to the rich lore and addictive real-time strategy gameplay of the Warcraft universe.

1995 - Command & Conquer

Command & Conquer popularized the real-time strategy genre, offering deep strategic gameplay. One of my favourite games of all time.

1996 - Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider introduced players to the adventurous archaeologist Lara Croft and her thrilling quests.

1997 - Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII pushed boundaries with its cinematic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and immersive world.

1998 - Half-Life

Half-Life redefined first-person shooters by combining captivating narrative with innovative gameplay mechanics.

1999 - The Sims

The Sims revolutionized the simulation genre, allowing players to create virtual lives and shape their own stories.

2000 - Diablo II

Diablo II offered addictive hack-and-slash action, a vast array of character customization options, and multiplayer gameplay.

2001 - Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo: Combat Evolved set new standards for console shooters with its immersive world, intense gameplay, and gripping storyline.

2002 - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City transported players to a vividly realized open-world 1980s Miami, offering a captivating story and boundless freedom.

2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Wind Waker enchanted players with its stunning cel-shaded graphics, vast open sea, and memorable characters.

2004 - World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft revolutionized the MMO genre, offering a massive, immersive online world with endless adventures to embark upon.

2005 - Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 reinvigorated the survival horror genre with its intense gameplay, cinematic presentation, and thrilling encounters.

2006 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Oblivion introduced players to a breathtaking fantasy world with unparalleled freedom, immersive quests, and detailed environments.

2007 - BioShock

BioShock combined thought-provoking narrative, atmospheric setting, and unique gameplay mechanics, setting new standards for storytelling in games.

2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV raised the bar for open-world games, delivering a gritty and immersive crime-filled narrative set in a stunningly detailed Liberty City.

2009 - Minecraft

Minecraft revolutionized the sandbox genre, empowering players to build and explore infinite virtual worlds, fueling boundless creativity.

2010 - Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption combined an immersive open-world Wild West setting with a captivating story and memorable characters, redefining the Western genre in gaming.

2011 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim offered a vast and immersive fantasy world filled with epic quests, stunning landscapes, and limitless exploration, captivating players for hundreds of hours.

2012 - Journey

Journey enchanted players with its breathtaking visuals, emotionally evocative storytelling, and innovative multiplayer experience, proving that games can be art.

2013 - The Last of Us

The Last of Us combined intense survival gameplay, deep character development, and a gripping post-apocalyptic story, delivering an unforgettable narrative experience.

2014 - Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition offered a rich and immersive high-fantasy world, strategic combat, and compelling storytelling, making it a standout RPG of its time.

2015 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt raised the bar for open-world RPGs, featuring a vast, meticulously crafted world, engaging quests, and morally complex choices that shaped its rich narrative.

2016 - Overwatch

Overwatch reinvigorated the team-based shooter genre with its diverse cast of characters, fast-paced gameplay, and emphasis on cooperative play, becoming a global phenomenon.

2017 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild reimagined the Zelda franchise with its vast, open-world exploration, dynamic physics-based gameplay, and a sense of awe-inspiring freedom.

2018 - God of War

God of War reinvented the action-adventure genre with its emotionally charged narrative, stunning visuals, and visceral combat, showcasing the growth of its iconic protagonist.

2019 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice pushed players to their limits with its demanding combat, intricate level design, and immersive feudal Japan setting, earning critical acclaim and devoted fans.

2020 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a much-needed virtual escape, allowing players to create their own idyllic island paradise, socialize with adorable anthropomorphic animals, and engage in endless relaxing activities.