A framework for PM skill development | Vikrama Dhiman (Gojek)

May 12, 2024 1h 12m 18 insights Episode Page ↗
Vikrama Deeman, Gojek's Head of Product, shares his 3 W's career growth framework for PMs: what you produce, what you bring to the table, and your operating model. He also discusses common career pitfalls and how to overcome them by focusing on what you control, embracing change, and correcting self-narratives.
Actionable Insights

1. Focus on Output Early & Always

Prioritize getting things done and shipping products, especially early in your career. Even as a senior leader, don’t forget individual contributor tasks; pull up your sleeves to maintain credibility and impact.

2. Be Useful in Small, Impactful Ways

Actively seek out areas where leaders are blocked (e.g., preparing briefs, slides, legal reviews) and volunteer to deliver first drafts. Focus on small, tangible outputs that contribute to overall outcomes and your learning.

3. Produce High-Quality Product Artifacts

Demonstrate your impact by consistently creating excellent product artifacts like PRDs, product notes, strategy docs, and design briefs. Ensure pre-iteration planning is thorough and Jira stories are well-described.

4. Master Collaborative Operating Model

Raise difficult issues without being difficult, bring up important topics without seeking personal importance, and focus on getting decisions made rather than making all decisions yourself.

5. Push Back Logically, Not Emotionally

When disagreeing, bring conversations to a logical space from an emotional one. Aim to add value, advance the product, and unblock your team, rather than being perceived as an obstacle or hindrance.

6. Focus on What You Control

Direct your energy towards aspects of your career and work that are within your influence, such as your output, the quality of your work, and your operating model, rather than external factors beyond your control.

7. Continuously Increase Your Rate of Change

Actively seek opportunities to grow and learn new skills. Benchmark yourself against industry bests or other functions to identify areas for improvement and maintain a high rate of personal development.

8. Correct Self-Limiting Stories

Regularly examine the narratives you tell yourself about your capabilities and identity (e.g., ‘I’m a high-agency PM’). If these stories hinder growth, talk to trusted people for external perspective and consciously reframe them into enabling stories, like ‘I am a learner.’

9. Be Open to Feedback & Focus Skill Development

Welcome feedback as a gift, even if it’s difficult. Instead of trying to improve everything at once, identify the single area that offers the maximum leverage for your growth and focus on mastering it before moving to the next.

10. Strategic Skill Pairing for PM Transitions

When transitioning into product management, or early in your PM career, pair skill development. If from a design/research background, focus on data or tech; if from data/tech, focus on design/research. Once proficient in two of these, then prioritize strategy.

11. Embrace the PM Role as a Community Enabler

View yourself as a ’time piece’ and a co-collaborator across all disciplines (data, design, tech, strategy). Your role is to tie everyone together towards a common mission, especially in distributed teams, and elevate the team’s overall contribution and output.

12. Intent Is Not Enough; Actions Matter

Understand that good intentions alone are insufficient. Your actions, behavior, communication, and collaboration must consistently reflect your true intent and desired impact.

13. Dedicate Sufficient Effort and Hours

Acknowledge that significant personal and career growth often requires substantial time and effort. Don’t shy away from putting in the necessary hours to develop your skills and advance.

14. Read ‘Small Data’ by Martin Lindstrom

This book offers insights for product people on how to quickly gain a deep understanding of a market or user space to inform campaigns and product decisions.

15. Read ‘Originals’ by Adam Grant

This book helps challenge self-perceptions and provides a reality check for those who might feel stuck or overly confident, aiding in personal growth.

16. Read ‘Thinking Fast and Slow’ by Daniel Kahneman

This book explains cognitive biases and the difference between intuitive and deliberate thought, helping you understand why change and feedback are challenging and how to approach them more effectively.

17. Use a Brainstorming Interview Question

Ask candidates to brainstorm choices for a product they frequently use, exploring potential features, evolution over time (6-12 months), and alignment with overall goals. Look for their ability to abstract goals, identify users, and reason backward from impact.

18. Adopt a ‘Never Too Late’ Mindset

Believe that it’s never too late to pursue your desired career path or personal goals, regardless of your age or current stage in life.