Today’s episode breaks down my 5 rules for optimizing the most important product in your professional life: your career. These rules synthesize some of the key takeaways from all of my other content about product management and career growth. I break down why each rule matters, and outline some associated mistakes and misconceptions that you should avoid. Whether you’re at a career juncture or are firmly positioned in a role, these rules come with actionable tactics you can implement tomorrow. Ultimately, I believe that following these rules will lead you to a healthier career where you think long-term and control your own outcomes.
Today’s discussion covers 5 rules:
1. Product manage your career like a product
2. Ensure each transition is career additive
3. Who you know will matter as much as what you know
4. Find a strength area and build a superpower around it
5. Bet on yourself
References
My Product School talk on the 4 essential product skills
My podcast on the shadows of superpowers, part 1
My podcast on the shadows of superpowers, part 2
Where to find Nikhyl:
Where to find The Skip Podcast:
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:01:33] Overview of the 5 rules
[00:02:00] Rule #1 Product manage your career like a product
[00:05:43] The importance of seeking out feedback
[00:07:13] Rule #2: Ensure each transition is career additive
[00:10:40] The external vs internal realities of a company
[00:13:08] Rule #3 Who you know will matter as much as what you know
[00:15:03] How to build your network authentically
[00:18:38] Rule #4 Find a strength area and build a superpower around it
[00:21:16] The shadows of your superpowers
[00:22:08] Rule #5 Bet on yourself
[00:24:08] Why promotions don’t guarantee you’re advancing
[00:26:11] Conclusion
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