Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career An inside look at how CNN builds product | Upasna Gautam
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Feb 23, 2023 Upasna Gautam, a product manager at CNN Digital and meditation coach, takes listeners behind the scenes of CNN's product development. She discusses the intricate balance between building new features and maintaining systems, especially amid high-pressure events like elections. Upasna highlights the importance of mindfulness and effective communication in product management and shares how meditation practices can enhance team dynamics. Listeners also hear about the challenges faced in the fast-paced world of journalism and insights on fostering collaboration between editorial and product teams.
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Equanimity for Product Managers
- Cultivate equanimity, which is mental calmness and composure, especially in stressful situations.
- This allows you to pause before reacting, which is crucial for stakeholder management and team morale.
Breaking News Disruptions
- User testing sessions at CNN can be disrupted by breaking news, requiring product managers to be flexible.
- Upasna Gautam emphasizes building buffer time into schedules to accommodate these unpredictable events.
Stakeholder Communication System
- Implement a system with multiple touchpoints to manage communication and feedback from stakeholders.
- At CNN, Upasna Gautam uses weekly demos, working sessions, breaking news rehearsals, and office hours.
