‘We might be wrong, but we’re not confused’: how Tomer Cohen, chief product officer at LinkedIn, figures out what works best

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Dec 20, 2022

In this discussion, Tomer Cohen, Chief Product Officer at LinkedIn, dives into the unique dynamics of managing large teams and the clarity needed in decision-making. He shares his provocative mantra, "We might be wrong, but we’re not confused," emphasizing the importance of recognizing mistakes. Tomer explains LinkedIn's distinct metrics, focusing on job success rather than typical engagement. The conversation also touches on how AI is reshaping professional networking and the platform's role in creating economic opportunities through verified skills.

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INSIGHT

LinkedIn's Vision

LinkedIn's primary goal is to create economic opportunities for all members of the global workforce.
It's a platform designed to connect professionals, share ideas, and help people advance their careers.

INSIGHT

Measuring Success on LinkedIn

LinkedIn's success metrics are based on people getting hired.
The platform tracks job applications and profile changes to measure its impact on employment.

ADVICE

Focusing on Skills

Focus on skills, not just pedigree.
The job market changes rapidly, so learning and adaptability are crucial.

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Tomer Cohen is the chief product officer at LinkedIn, and actually, I talked to Tomer twice. Here’s a little secret about Decoder: we do the interviews, and then often, the guest and I just keep chatting for a while. So after my first interview with Tomer, we were hanging out, talking about the perpetual battles between engineers, product managers, and designers. And he said something that completely jumped out at me:

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

This isn’t a totally new line — it’s been floating around for a while, you can Google it — but you know I love an f-bomb, and honestly, it’s one of the most simple and clarifying things a manager can say, especially when managing across large teams. So I asked Tomer to come back and really dig in on that idea.

On top of that, we’ve been talking a lot about running social networks lately, and LinkedIn is a fascinating social network because it doesn’t have the same engagement-based success metrics as other social platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Tomer doesn’t care about time spent on LinkedIn; the platform is designed to be successful when people get new jobs. That means his ideas for features and user experiences are just really different.

Links:

Employment Situation Summary (Jobs Report)

December Workforce Report 2022 (LinkedIn)

Vision to values flowchart

ChatGPT proves AI is finally mainstream — and things are only going to get weirder

LinkedIn buys California-based SaaS learning platform

How big companies kill ideas — and how to fight back, with Tony Fadell

RAPID decision making

Transcript:

https://www.theverge.com/e/23281360

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

It was produced by Creighton DeSimone and Jackie McDermott and it was edited by Callie Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Editorial Director is Brooke Minters and our Executive Director is Eleanor Donovan.

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