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

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

References

- My Product School talk on the 4 essential product skills: https://productschool.com/product-podcast/pm-to-csuite-by-facebook-vp-of-product/

- My podcast on the shadows of superpowers, part 1: https://www.skip.community/shadows-of-your-superpowers-part-1/

- My podcast on the shadows of superpowers, part 2: https://www.skip.community/shadows-of-superpowers-part-2/

Where to find Nikhyl:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikhyl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhyl/

Where to find The Skip Podcast:

Website: https://www.skip.show/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theskippodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theskippod

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oT2rxMsRP64h9NXuA11DJ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skip-podcast/id1663529202