A framework for PM skill development | Vikrama Dhiman (Gojek)

Click to expand the mind map for a detailed view.

Summary of Key Actionable Takeaways

  1. Focus on Outputs Early in Your Career: Prioritize execution and delivering tangible results (e.g., PRDs, product notes, strategy docs) before focusing on high-level strategy.
  2. Produce High-Quality Artifacts: Ensure your deliverables (e.g., PRDs, roadmaps, strategy docs) are well-crafted and raise the bar for your team.
  3. Develop a Strong Operating Model: Master communication, collaboration, and decision-making. Push back on bad ideas without being difficult to work with.
  4. Build a Growth Mindset: Continuously improve by focusing on areas within your control and embracing change. Avoid stagnation by seeking feedback and learning new skills. TAKE NOTE
  5. Leverage Feedback for Growth: Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and focus on one skill at a time to avoid overwhelm.
  6. Be a Problem Solver, Not a Problem Creator: Focus on solving customer problems and enabling your team to succeed rather than obsessing over titles or roles.
  7. Balance Hard Work with Intent: While intent is important, your actions, behavior, and communication must align with your goals to drive impact.

Detailed Summary of Key Points

1. Vikrama’s Background

  • Vikrama Dhiman: Head of Product at Gojek, overseeing product management, design, program management, and research across India, Singapore, and Indonesia.
  • Reputation: Known for building strong product talent and helping people transition into product management.

2. Three Common Traits Among Great PMs

  • What You Produce: Focus on delivering outputs (e.g., PRDs, product notes, strategy docs) before moving to outcomes and strategy.
  • What You Bring to the Table: Ensure your contributions (e.g., PRDs, experiments, metrics) are high-quality and impactful. TAKE NOTE
  • Your Operating Model: Master communication, collaboration, and decision-making. Push back on bad ideas without being difficult to work with.

3. The First W: What You Produce

  • Outputs vs. Outcomes: Early in your career, focus on execution and delivering outputs (e.g., launching products, running experiments). As you grow, shift to owning outcomes and strategy.
  • Mistake to Avoid: Don’t neglect outputs even as you move into more strategic roles. Stay hands-on and maintain your IC roots.

4. The Second W: What You Bring to the Table

  • High-Quality Artifacts: Ensure your deliverables (e.g., PRDs, roadmaps, strategy docs) are well-crafted and raise the bar for your team.
  • Impact on Impact: Demonstrate how your contributions drive impact through tangible artifacts and clear communication.

5. The Third W: What’s Your Operating Model

  • Communication and Collaboration: Raise difficult issues without being difficult to work with. Bring out important topics without drawing importance to yourself.
  • Decision-Making: Focus on enabling decisions rather than making all decisions yourself.

6. Common Factors That Impede Career Growth

  • Focus on What You Control: Avoid obsessing over things outside your control (e.g., corporate strategy, competitors). Focus on improving your craft and skills.
  • Embrace Change: Maintain a high rate of change and growth by continuously learning and adapting.
  • Self-Perception: Be mindful of the stories you tell yourself about your abilities. Avoid limiting beliefs and stay open to growth.

7. The Art of Pushback

  • Effective Pushback: Push back on bad ideas without being difficult to work with. Bring the conversation to a logical space rather than an emotional one.
  • Balancing Act: Be assertive but collaborative. Focus on advancing the product and unblocking your team.

8. The Ambiguity of the PM Role

  • Role Clarity: Product management is often ambiguous, with varying expectations across companies and teams. Focus on solving problems and enabling your team to succeed.
  • Collaboration: PMs are the glue that ties together different disciplines (e.g., design, engineering, data). Focus on enabling collaboration and driving outcomes.

9. The 8 Axis for PM Growth

  • Key Skills: Focus on improving across eight key areas: data, design/research, technology, strategy, communication, collaboration, organizational skills, and community building.
  • Skill Development: Pick one or two skills to focus on at a time. For example, if you come from a design background, focus on improving your data or tech skills.

10. Contrarian Corner: Why Intent Alone is Not Enough

  • Intent vs. Action: While intent is important, your actions, behavior, and communication must align with your goals to drive impact.
  • Hard Work Matters: Success often correlates with the effort and hours you put into your work. Balance hard work with self-care and growth.

Related Posts