I’ve recently talked with a friend Product Manager, sharing the above question, along with some others:
“Where growth comes from? I’ve connected with other departments, learned and helped set up Customer Success, Marketing, Sales, and keep going as an acting Product Owner for my team of Engineers! What’s past that? How can I still up my game? Is it time to move to another company/position to learn new stuff?”
How can I consistently grow in my role, and as a person?
At times we have all reached a point where we say “what else is there to do? How can I learn more?” The most obvious answer is drop ourselves on a new environment; a new team, a new company, working closer with a new department. Doing that again and again we might still reach a limit where we feel maxed up, like my friend shared above. So what then?
Perspective: our brain holds the answer
When facing such dilemmas, I usually turn to my brain for an answer. Our brains create these dilemmas, hence our brains are responsible for the solution too. When Stoics confront heavy emotional situations, it is perspective that helps them get through. They have developed certain mindset and tactics that allows to distance themselves from the situation and objectively try to deal with the situation. That’s the same with growth opportunities, you need to shift mindset or trigger your brain to think differently.
When it comes to mind triggers, there is nothing equal to learning. Learning something new stimulates your brain into thinking, and uncovering a perspective that was not visible. To learn you can read or listen. Read articles on your field of interest, read new books. Listen to great talks, presentations, or podcasts. You can also mix and mingle and learn on a field that is not directly related to your craft - I do that with history and The Rest is History podcast.
Growth step1: Change perspective by learning through books, articles, podcasts, talks!
Experimentation: Why the f…k not?
We are growing stronger by learning new things; still the true power and growth comes from practice. Practise is where theory and ideas become a reality. It’s common to fall into the learning trap so it takes some effort to overcome it.
You need to stay curious and open. Having the triggers in place, find something small or big to practice on. You will need to kickstart the idea and reach a certain maturity point before pitching it to more people. Or, find an equally curious colleague or person and start together - each one offering their unique perspective.
I’ve done that a couple of times, here’s one of my experiments. Sometimes it worked great, other times it was a flop but that’s not the point. What’s important is to stay curious!
Growth step2: Stay curious and experiment!
Persistency: Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Finally, don’t let failures or flops discourage you. Don’t fall for the easy narrative of laying blame to others that be colleagues, company, getting that bigger role you deserve, or reaching a ceiling at your current company.
As long as you keep learning and stay curious there is nothing to stop your growth but yourself!
When you feel demotivated, you need to persist! Learning something new will trigger your mind for a new experiment, so go for it! When you feel stagnating and static in your daily work, learning something new will rewire your mind and restore your appetite for growth. When your last experiment was a failure, find the power to evaluate for errors and change perspective for a second attempt.
Growth Step3: Keep going for it!
What ISN’T personal growth
Personal growth isn’t a position or a role. You will still need to prove yourself and fill the shoes of the position! What we usually see is the other way around; People acting the role but hardly filling the shoes.
Personal growth isn’t necessarily a new company. If your responsibilities stay the same nothing will change. If the new company has a different perspective than your previous one, then it’s in your hands to grow! I’ve seen friends switching companies, yet ending up in suboptimal situations from before.
Personal growth isn’t just the responsibility of a new manager or boss. You hold the major responsibility for your growth. There is nothing another person can offer to you, if it’s not already in you. Of course a great manager can guide and inspire you, but you need to do most of your growth work.
Personal Growth: Summary and closure
Change perspective by learning through books, articles, podcasts, talks!
Stay curious and experiment!
Keep going for it!
DON’T:
Connect your growth with a new role or position
Connect your growth with a new company
Hand your growth to another person
As you’ve noticed in this entire article very few words are Product Manager specific. This means that you can use these advice regardless of your role and position, whether that be Engineering, Marketing, Product, CEO, Sales, Customer Success, Crafting, or anything!
You can always grow horizontally. Expand your horizons and looks into more things and directions.
Let’s say that once more:YOU CAN ALWAYS GROW HORIZONTALLY!
This has grown longer than expected, but words seemed to write themselves! Would appreciate your feedback, comments, and contributions!