How the PM Role is Changing in 2024 | PM Expert Panel

TL;DR

The role of product managers (PMs) has evolved over the years, with an increasing focus on customer-centricity and less on internal processes. The PM career track offers various paths, including IC plus management, starting a startup, or pursuing adjacent disciplines. AI can be leveraged by PMs to enhance their skills and stay sharp. When interviewing users, it is important to listen more and let them talk, extracting insights and understanding their needs. The key skills for product leaders involve a balance between deep involvement and hands-on understanding, as well as amplifying the work of others. The end state of a PM career can vary, with some aspiring to be CPOs or VPs, while others find fulfillment in deepening their knowledge and focusing on specific areas of interest.

Transcript

if you draw a pie chart and divide every PM's time spent increasingly over the last 10 years it has gone towards internal processes internal systems internal communication taking away the precious time needed to understand the customer and actually focus on the product right and that is why the Genesis started at airbm start thinking about how can ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 The PM role has shifted towards customer-centricity and away from internal processes.
• 😋 PMs have various career paths, including IC plus management, starting a startup, or pursuing adjacent disciplines.
• 🐿️ AI can be leveraged by PMs to enhance their skills and stay sharp.
• 🤩 When interviewing users, active listening and asking open-ended questions are key to extracting insights.
• 💦 Product leaders need a balance of deep involvement, leadership skills, and the ability to amplify the work of others.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can PMs extract the most insights when interviewing users?

The key is to listen more and let the users talk. Avoid talking too much and focus on asking open-ended questions that allow for detailed responses. Use techniques like the "Mom Test" and consider using chat GPT or AI tools to generate interview questions.

Q: What are some examples of AI use cases for PMs?

PMs can leverage AI for data analysis, generating interview guides, automating processes like OKR review, and even using AI assistants for work-related questions and research. It is important to experiment with AI tools and find use cases that enhance productivity and decision-making.

Q: What skills are needed to be an amazing product leader?

Product leaders need a balance of deep involvement and hands-on understanding of the product and industry. They should possess strong leadership and communication skills, be open to change, and have a knack for amplifying the work of others. Emotional intelligence and the ability to collaborate across teams are also crucial.

Q: What is the end state of a PM career?

The end state of a PM career varies depending on individual goals and aspirations. While some may strive for CPO or VP roles, others may find fulfillment in deepening their knowledge and expertise in specific areas. There is no one-size-fits-all path, and PMs should focus on personal growth, continuous learning, and finding a role that aligns with their interests and values.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The PM role has shifted towards customer-centricity and less focus on internal processes.

• PMs have various career paths, including IC plus management, starting a startup, or pursuing adjacent disciplines.

• AI can enhance PMs' skills and keep them sharp, allowing for experimentations and gaining expertise.

• When interviewing users, it is important to listen more and let them talk, extracting insights and understanding their needs.

• Key skills for product leaders involve deep involvement, amplifying the work of others, and staying hands-on in the details.

• The end state of a PM career can vary, with some aspiring to be CPOs or VPs, while others find fulfillment in deepening their knowledge and focusing on specific areas of interest.