I spent my early 20's unsure what my career would look like.
Full of enthusiasm, passion and energy, but totally lost on how I would apply it in the real world.
Fortunately I found Product Management
🧵 Here's my story and why the future belongs to product-led people, augmented by AI
🤖 It's now cliche to even say is, but AI is everywhere, threatening jobs across industries—from labor-intensive work to creative fields.
As a result, everyone’s skill set is evolving. Fast.
Jobs are increasingly varied and the previous conveyer belt labour model with one person, one skill, one task is disappearing rapidly.
💼 80% of millennials + Gen Z are preparing for a future where traditional jobs and careers they've built might vanish.
🧪What’s the antidote?
Anti-fragile skills.
Anti-fragility is about more than being prepared.
It means something that does not merely withstand a shock but improves because of it.
Amid this change, set of skills is becoming increasingly valuable, across all career paths and industries. - product - but only if those who focused on it augment their skills and techniques fast
AI skill augmentation is the biggest opportunity for professional development in history, and everyone is becoming a product person, whether they realise it or not.
But surely product people just fade away, as other roles just do the 'product stuff'?
I've heard tonnes of marketing & sales people on one side, and engineering on the other, say this.
But this is an predictable and misunderstood way of thinking.
Pretty much anyone will be able to build and sell now, so what really will make someone stand out is who is best at identifying the problems & opportunities.
A ludicrous amount of time and money is wasted on problems either already solved or that just don't need solving.
Product people get this.
In a world where no-code tools and AI are making it easier to build solutions, product-led founders are the most admired.
They understand the problem, relate to customers, and lead with the problem first..
They Start With Why - (@simonsinek
🎓 Fresh out of university, I wasn’t sure where to take my degree in Political Science and International Relations (so many crying out "why did you choose that?'")
I loved learning about global politics, debating the classic philosophical topics, exploring applications of tech for good, researching, studying, and writing... it was enjoyable and it improved many of my research, writing and skills in identifying and communicating problems.
But translating that into a career felt daunting and not all that applicable
🔗 Driven by a desire to decentralise finance to increase financial inclusion and empower change in emerging countries, I eventually found my passion in blockchain and crypto, realising that it is the most likely and actionable route to create change, improve people's lives and build a more trusted society and world
🏢 Heading into management consulting, as a hungry (naive) 23-year old, joining @Accenture offered a perfect platform to learn and grow
However, I quickly learned that I wanted more than just to succeed and progress in a somewhat narrow minded way of thinking.
I wanted to have ownership, have a voice, build, sell, market, lead, inspire, and live a fulfilling, freer and more independent life
To do this, you need to know your value, have applicable skills and not be trapped by fancy titles and performance cycles.
💡 Since leaving that world, I've been amazed by how many consultants I worked with who have contacted me asking how to shift into product management and startups, but felt like they needed to 're-train' and get totally new skills
The reality?
Most consultants and tbh many generally already have the core skills of product —they just need to know how to communicate it in the context of product building
So what are these skills?
🌱 Product roles combine research, analysis, listening skills, communication, connecting ideas, leadership and distilling information.
A perfect fit for those who naturally gravitate towards problem-solving and entrepreneurship.
Product people are the "glue" people.
🛠️ It’s about owning and managing a product - which is what every company revolves around - or at least absolutely should
A product solves a problem for a specific audience and the product manager identifies the problem and finds way to solve it —plain and simple.
🤔If you're wondering if this path would fit you, ask yourself:
1. Do you often find and want to solve problems?
2. Are you the glue in your social, family and work circles?
3. Do you enjoy building relationships, networking and listening?
4. Have you ever dreamed of being an entrepreneur?
5. Do you love finding new hacks and optimisations?
🚀 If you answered yes to any of these, product management might be for you.
The role is becoming more vital as startups scale and globalise, with product managers and product-led-founders at the core of their success.
🌍 Companies that succeed in tech often place product as one of the highest and most valuable skillsets.
A good product person/leader is loved by their customers, partners, engineers and leadership.
These are the people who shape the strategic direction of a company and make things happen.
🍏 Just look at Apple.
Steve Jobs described it as a series of mini-startups, each led by a product manager.
They are the people driving innovation and connecting teams.
🛤️ If you’re stuck in a corporate bubble, crying to get out, are feeling unfulfilled, consider product management.
Yes, it might mean a pay cut or some initial stress, fear and discomfort, but the reward?
A truly fulfilling, anti-fragile and sustainable career.
😨 And, if you’re feeling threatened or panicked by AI...product management is a solid path to keep you resilient in rapid change.
Using AI to augment your skills can make you the most flexible person in a company.
Whether you’re technical or not, if you love solving problems, connecting people and things, and can lead and communicate like an artist, this is for you.
🔥 The future belongs to those who can lead with tech as their ally, unite people around an idea and vision and make the complex simple.
And that is the essence of product.
If you're feeling lost in your career or scared of change, I hope you've found this helpful.
I've just launched a personal newsletter where I'm sharing my personal philosophies and reflections on product, crypto, and life as a 30-year-old builder and writer living the nomad life in Bali
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