Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

How LinkedIn became interesting: The inside story | Tomer Cohen (CPO at LinkedIn)

Sep 8, 2024

01:09:01

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Tomer Cohen, Chief Product Officer at LinkedIn, reveals how the platform transitioned from a self-promotion tool to an engaging content hub. He shares his memorable mantra, "We might be wrong, but we are not confused," and emphasizes the significance of clarity and conviction in product leadership. The conversation highlights LinkedIn's innovative AI-first strategy, personal career lessons, and insights on balancing passion with practical project needs. Tomer also discusses the evolving landscape of job searching in the AI era, making it a must-listen for aspiring tech leaders.

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Quick takeaways

LinkedIn transformed from a promotional platform to a vibrant hub for professional engagement and meaningful interactions.

The company's AI-first approach is central to product development, enhancing user experiences and optimizing connections on the platform.

Effective leadership at LinkedIn focuses on clarity and alignment, empowering teams to navigate challenges and achieve ambitious goals.

Deep dives

The Transformation of LinkedIn

LinkedIn has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a promotional platform into a space for meaningful professional interactions. The focus has been reestablished on economic opportunities and knowledge sharing rather than simply tracking job changes or connections. This shift in purpose has encouraged members to engage more actively by sharing valuable content that truly resonates with their professional interests. The result has been an increase in daily user engagement, making LinkedIn a platform that people find increasingly relevant.

Clarity over Confusion

00:36

“We might be wrong but we’re not confused”

01:21

Embrace the Journey of Growth

01:57

Dream Boldly, Reflect Deeply

01:25

Intro

2min

The Importance of Clarity and Unified Direction

2min

LinkedIn's Evolution and Organizational Clarity

6min

Clarity and Alignment in Organizations

4min

Visionary Growth and Engagement on LinkedIn

20min

Embracing an AI-First Mindset in Product Development

5min

Embracing AI in Product Management

16min

Striking a Balance: Passion and Impact in Project Selection

3min

Harnessing Strengths for Growth

8min

10.

The Future of Job Searching and AI Relationships

2min

Tomer Cohen is the chief product officer at LinkedIn, responsible for setting the company’s product strategy, leading product development, user experience design, business development, content creation, and customer operations. He also hosts the Building One podcast, where he interviews exceptional builders across various disciplines. In our conversation, we discuss:

• How LinkedIn transformed its feed into an engaging content and social platform

• Tomer’s famous “We might be wrong, but we are not confused” mantra

• The importance of conviction and passion in product leadership

• LinkedIn’s approach to experimenting with and implementing AI features

• Lessons from Tomer’s rapid career progression at LinkedIn

• Strategies for embracing AI in product development

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Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-linkedin-became-interesting-tomer-cohen

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Where to find Tomer Cohen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomercohen/

• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-one-with-tomer-cohen/id1726672498

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Where to find Lenny:

• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction to Tomer Cohen and his role at LinkedIn

(02:28) The mantra “We might be wrong, but we are not confused”

(06:45) Clarity of thought and focus

(13:03) Setting ambitious goals and overdelivering

(16:18) Transforming LinkedIn’s feed: strategy and execution

(22:03) Running experiments at scale

(26:24) Goal setting and identifying opportunities

(30:58) AI’s role in LinkedIn’s evolution

(35:38) The AI-first mindset at LinkedIn

(35:38) Developing an AI-first mindset

(44:49) Letting go of your roadmaps and allowing room for exploration

(49:12) Career growth and personal insights

(55:01) Takeaways

(56:39) Lightning round and final thoughts

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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

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Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

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Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

How LinkedIn became interesting: The inside story | Tomer Cohen (CPO at LinkedIn)