Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

An inside look at how the New York Times builds product | Alex Hardiman (CPO at The New York Times)

41 snips

Nov 13, 2022

Alex Hardiman, Chief Product Officer at the New York Times, shares her insights on blending journalism with product management. She reveals how cross-functional teams create compelling stories and visual experiences online. The discussion dives into the strategic acquisition of Wordle and what it teaches about user experience and integration challenges. Hardiman also contrasts the dynamics of working in a traditional media organization versus tech giants like Facebook, reflecting on her journey through both worlds and the evolution of digital products at the Times.

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ANECDOTE

Wartime Product Management

Alex Hardiman led Facebook's news product after the 2016 election.
This was a period of intense scrutiny regarding misinformation and platform responsibility.

INSIGHT

Thriving in Chaos

Product managers thrive in chaotic environments that lack established playbooks.
They excel at structuring chaos, prioritizing problems, and rallying teams around shared goals.

ANECDOTE

Returning to the NYT

Alex Hardiman returned to the New York Times after leaving for Facebook and The Atlantic.
Her return was welcomed, and her interview felt more like therapy due to her prior decade-long tenure.

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