How the Product Manager Role is Changing in 2025 | Jiaona Zhang (CPO Linktree)
Nov 24, 2024
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In this discussion, Jiaona Zhang, Chief Product Officer of LinkTree and Stanford guest lecturer, shares insights on the evolving role of product managers as AI transforms the landscape. She explores how PMs can balance strategy with execution and the shift from generalists to specialists. Jiaona introduces her 'Career Odyssey framework' to help individuals navigate their career paths and discusses whether embracing the creator economy can enhance a PM's career trajectory. Her expertise offers a fresh perspective on personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Understanding personal happiness and flexibility in defining success is crucial for avoiding burnout in product management careers.
The landscape of product management is evolving with AI and organizational shifts, leading to a need for reevaluating management structures.
Navigating between strategic oversight and detailed execution is a key trait for product managers to manage complex projects effectively.
Deep dives
Understanding Personal Motivation and Success
Individuals often overlook the importance of understanding what truly makes them happy and energized in their careers. Many people fall into a cycle of following conventional paths or imitating others, which can lead to burnout after years in the same role. To combat this, it’s essential to actively define personal success and be flexible in that definition over time. An individual should assess their own motivations and desires, akin to how product managers understand user needs.
Evolution of Product Management Roles
The landscape of product management is shifting due to factors like layoffs, organizational changes, and the influence of AI on job functions. A notable observation is the trend towards fewer management tiers, prompting a reevaluation of how many managers are truly necessary. As automated tools take over low-leverage tasks, employees can focus on higher-value work, potentially reducing the need for middle management. This presents an opportunity for product managers to adapt by finding context and meaning in their roles rather than adhering strictly to traditional pathways of career progression.
Effective Skill Development in Product Management
A key trait for effective product managers is the ability to navigate various levels of detail, moving seamlessly from strategic oversight to hands-on involvement. Understanding when to focus on broader objectives versus specific tasks is critical for managing complex projects successfully. Developing a strategy document can serve as an artifact to formalize thoughts and actions, fostering a clear vision. Additionally, using self-evaluative questions can help product managers recognize where their focus lies and what adjustments are necessary.
Leveraging Technology for Communication Efficiency
Utilizing technology can streamline communication and alleviate meeting overload for product managers. Incorporating tools like voice notes can help convey information quickly compared to crafting detailed emails. The use of AI and other technological solutions can also simplify routine administrative tasks, allowing managers to focus on more strategic work. Prompt and efficient communication is essential in keeping teams aligned and informed, particularly in distributed work environments.
Building Brands as Creators and Product Leaders
Creating a personal brand as a product leader or creator involves authenticity and aligning one’s work with personal interests. It is crucial to reflect on what energizes you and how your roles can complement each other rather than detract from one another. Both product management and creative endeavors can enhance each other, enabling richer learning experiences and professional growth. Balancing these aspects can lead to greater satisfaction and effectiveness in both careers.
My guest today is Jiaona Zhang, CPO of Linktree.
JZ is the Chief Product Officer of Linktree and a guest lecturer at Stanford. We had a great chat about AI’s impact on PM managers and super ICs, the shift towards PM specialists, and whether becoming a creator can help advance your PM career.
(00:00) Find what makes you happy in your PM career
(01:44) AI's impact on PM managers and super ICs
(04:03) How to balance strategy and execution
(08:24) Streamlining PM tasks with AI
(13:28) Creating strategy docs and PRDs that work
(16:50) Your career is your most important product
(22:55) The shift from PM generalists to specialists
(23:58) Exploring JZ's Career Odyssey framework
(25:49) Why you shouldn't just optimize for comp and title
(31:12) Does the creator economy actually work?
(44:19) Can being a creator help advance your product career?
Get the takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/how-the-product-manager-role-is-changing-jiaona-zhang
Where to find Jiaona:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaona/
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