Welcome to UNLEARN, the podcast where we explore the stories, strategies, and mindset shifts that drive real innovation and growth. Today, I’m glad to be joined by Diana Stepner, a true trailblazer in the world of product management and people-centered leadership.
A Silicon Valley native, Diana has spent over two decades building and leading global product teams for companies like Monster, Cheapflights (later acquired by Kayak), Salesforce, and Razorfish. As Co-Founder, at Product Gold and Former VP of Product Management at Pearson, she has honed her expertise in creating impactful solutions. Along the way, she discovered that while launching great products is exciting, helping people launch their careers is even more rewarding.
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Diana’s passion for fostering talent and preparing organizations for the future shines in her new book, Next-Gen Product Management: Future Proof Your Career. It’s a must-read for anyone navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, teams, and innovation.
We dive into her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the practical advice she has for product leaders looking to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Check out her website at www.dianastepner.com to learn more.
Key Takeaways:
- Product vs. Project Management: Diana explains the key differences.
- Supercharging Product Managers: How top contributors maximize impact.
- Winning with Teams: The power of cross-functional collaboration.
- Breaking Into Product Management: Trends shaping new career moves.
Additional Insights:
- The Product Gold Framework, Diana shows how adaptability and empathy unlock market opportunities.
- Engagement in the Digital Age by mastering attention in a world full of distractions.
- Thinking Differently in Business: How challenging norms drives big advancements.
Prepare for an enlightening discussion with Diana Stepner on transforming traditional product strategies and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.
Episode Highlights:
00:33 – Episode Introduction
“One of the trends that we’re seeing in product management is this rise of a super IC. People are able to do a whole lot more because of AI than they could have done before.”
01:33 – Guest Introduction
“Today, we’re joined by Diana Stepner, an expert in product management and people-centered leadership. Diana has built leading global product teams at companies like Product Gold, Monster, Salesforce, and Razorfish.”
03:08 – Shift from Project to Product Management
“People kept saying, ‘Oh, you’re a project manager.’ And I’m like, ‘No, I’m not a project manager. I am a product manager.’ Over time, people began to realize that it actually was a skill or an expertise.”
10:44 – The Role of Collaboration in Product Management
“You need all of those instruments to come together to really make the music sing, and companies still don’t realize that.”
16:08 – The Rise of Super ICs
“You’re having these people be able to go much farther down the development path than what they did previously. And I think that’s fascinating because it makes total sense.”
19:18 – The Evolution of the Mini-CEO & One-Person Unicorns
“For me, it feels like it’s the incarnation of the mini-CEO. Now there’s this billion-dollar unicorn narrative where one person is expected to do everything with AI.”
27:00 – The Role of Asynchronous Communication & AI in Workflow Efficiency
“It’s funny, sometimes people get freaked out when I summarize a meeting in three minutes and email them key points before they’ve even left the call!”
30:48 – The Future of Product Management
“I believe we need to evolve, but that also means we need to welcome in the next generation who bring their own unique perspectives.”
35:33 – Conclusion and Next-Gen Product Management Book Promotion
“My book, Next Gen Product Management, is for those who want to future-proof their careers and thrive in this evolving industry.”
