Getting2Alpha Merci Victoria Grace: Product vision meets collaborative leadership
May 9, 2018
Merci Victoria Grace, a talented product manager who recently led growth at Slack, shares her journey from journalism to the game design industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration in product management and how addressing user needs drives innovation. Merci reflects on the toxic workplace culture at EA that led her to shift towards consulting and product management. She emphasizes the necessity of a clear vision and proactive engagement in successful product strategies, while also highlighting the value of writing and mentorship in personal growth.
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Early Career and Game Design Start
- Merci Victoria Grace started in college with journalism and creative writing but shifted to game design inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and game mechanics.
- Early success included raising a $500k seed round for her game, but the company eventually shut down after about three years.
Founder Block on Feedback
- Founder resistance to feedback often stems from pedestalizing vision as fixed and unquestionable.
- This blocks growth because founders feel questioned and teams fear being dismissed, harming company culture.
EA Experience and Burnout
- At EA, Merci experienced a bro-ish culture lacking transparency and growth mindset.
- This environment led her to burn out on the game industry, and she hasn't worked on a game since then.