Key Career Lesson From A Senior Product Manager At A Mid-Size Tech Support Company
The most significant lesson learned by Vinnie, a Senior Product Manager, is the importance of communication: "just talk to people," as this reveals unmet needs and fosters collaboration, leading to improved relationships and work outcomes across departments. This approach proved invaluable in Vinnie's career, starting with proactively reaching out to department heads to understand their requirements.
Communication, Project Management, Leadership, Problem-Solving, Teamwork
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Vinnie Shahzad
Senior Product Manager
Mid-Size Technology Support Company
UCLA, 2006
N/A
Engineering - Aerospace
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Video Highlights
1. Effective communication is crucial for success.
2. Talking to people from different departments helps understand their needs and improve collaboration.
3. Proactive communication fosters positive working relationships and facilitates problem-solving.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant throughout your career?
The most important lesson, I would say, is simply to talk to people. Everyone wants to do a good job; they want to do the work and frequently do the right thing.
If you talk to people, they will tell you what they want and what they need. They usually want to help you.
As a product manager when I started at Promenade, I went to the head of every department and talked to them. I asked them what they wished the product management team did that we didn't already do. They told me what they needed.
When I did those things, people were happy, and I had a great working relationship with all the other departments. So, go out and talk to people; ask them what they need. This isn't just about product management; it applies to any role. Just talk to people, and they'll tell you what they need.