About the Author
Daniel Poletti
Experienced Product Manager with a demonstrated history of working in tech across various industries. I’m fascinated by tech, how it intersects with business and life, and the unique problems it can solve. I’m energized by the talented and smart people I get to call my teammates.
Every product manager’s journey is seemingly a unique roller coaster ride filled with surprises and unexpected paths, and mine is no exception. I tend to always live in the present or be forward-thinking, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a step back and reflect on my journey from pre-med student to product management. This is less about pride and more about the gratitude I have for all of the experiences that shaped me, the amazing people that helped me along the way, and the opportunities that tech has opened up for me. In sharing this story, I hope to inspire those who are considering a future in product management or even those who don’t know what they want to do yet. Don’t be afraid to wander.
A Curveball from Life and Finding Tech
During my time in college, I pursued a pre-med track with a focus on biology, chemistry, and English. Like many pre-med students, I initially believed that I wanted to become a doctor and dedicate my life to patient care and contribute to the advancement of the medical field. I was passionate about science and the potential for impacting lives in a meaningful way with dreams of donning a white coat. After completing my time at the University of Miami, I took a year off to prepare for the MCAT, during which I found myself becoming increasingly interested in healthcare technology and its potential to revolutionize the way we approach patient care. This realization sparked my curiosity and drove me to explore career opportunities in healthcare tech, ultimately leading me down a path I never would have imagined when I first started college.
So, there I was, straying from the beaten path and venturing into uncharted territory. And all it took was some curiosity and a healthy appetite for exploring the unknown.
I’ll talk more about things I wish I would have known earlier, but Molly Graham puts this very eloquently when she talks about focusing on learning about yourself early on and NEVER skipping the “wander and see what you find” phase.
Check out her post about that concept: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mograham_im-a-big-believer-that-career-decisions-activity-7044746199672766464-H_7X
And an article about choosing your next job:
https://mollyg.substack.com/p/choosing-your-next-job
Plot Twists and Learning the Ropes
The diverse positions I held prior to becoming a Product Manager provided me with invaluable experiences that laid a solid foundation for my success in this role. My journey began as a Product Analyst at Haemonetics, where I honed my analytical skills and gained exposure to the intricacies of product development within a highly regulated environment. This experience instilled in me the importance of attention to detail, compliance, and the need for robust processes.
As I transitioned into Account Management and Customer Success roles at athenahealth and Drift, I developed a deep understanding of client relationship management and the importance of empathizing with customers’ needs. I found myself deeply invested in understanding the customers’ pain points and ensuring their success with our products. I enjoyed collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and ensure customer satisfaction. These experiences taught me how to effectively communicate with clients and the teams tasked with shaping and delivering the product, enabling me to better represent the voice of the customer in product development. This engagement with multiple stakeholders to influence product improvements ignited my curiosity and passion for the strategic side of product development.
The Call to Action and Diving into Product Management
The decision to shift into Product Management was a gradual realization that evolved over time as I gained exposure to various aspects of product development and customer success throughout my career. I began to recognize the unique opportunity Product Management offers to combine my passion for problem-solving, strategic thinking, and empathy for customers. The exposure to their work resonated with my career aspirations. I realized that as a Product Manager, I could make a more significant impact by bridging the gap between customer needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.
My transition was a pivotal moment in my career and it was my time at Alyce that provided me with my first opportunity to assume the Product Manager role. I was both excited and terrified by the prospect of leveraging my past experiences, empathy for customers, and passion for creating innovative solutions to excel in this new challenge. I was fortunate to have supportive leadership and a team that believed in my capabilities and allowed me to take on the challenge. It wasn’t all luck though, it was also the result of my own proactive approach. I made sure to express my interest and passion for product management when I joined the Alyce team. As Cal from Titanic so aptly put it, “I make my own luck.” Say what you will about him, but he got that much right. In other words, don’t hesitate to communicate your goals and ambitions, as you may be surprised by the number of people willing to lend a helping hand.
It was certainly a trial by fire, but I would not change it for anything. I’m not really one to just dip a toe in.
The Call to Action and Diving into Product Management
The decision to shift into Product Management was a gradual realization that evolved over time as I gained exposure to various aspects of product development and customer success throughout my career. I began to recognize the unique opportunity Product Management offers to combine my passion for problem-solving, strategic thinking, and empathy for customers. The exposure to their work resonated with my career aspirations. I realized that as a Product Manager, I could make a more significant impact by bridging the gap between customer needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.
My transition was a pivotal moment in my career and it was my time at Alyce that provided me with my first opportunity to assume the Product Manager role. I was both excited and terrified by the prospect of leveraging my past experiences, empathy for customers, and passion for creating innovative solutions to excel in this new challenge. I was fortunate to have supportive leadership and a team that believed in my capabilities and allowed me to take on the challenge. It wasn’t all luck though, it was also the result of my own proactive approach. I made sure to express my interest and passion for product management when I joined the Alyce team. As Cal from Titanic so aptly put it, “I make my own luck.” Say what you will about him, but he got that much right. In other words, don’t hesitate to communicate your goals and ambitions, as you may be surprised by the number of people willing to lend a helping hand.
It was certainly a trial by fire, but I would not change it for anything. I’m not really one to just dip a toe in.
This eventually led to my next role at Corvus Insurance where I was able to apply the lessons learned throughout my career to develop an underwriting platform for cyber insurance and risk management tools that address the unique needs of our users. I can now say I have been able to create impactful products that generate significant value for customers.
Wisdom Nuggets and Aha Moments
Looking back, there are definitely some things that could have helped. Lenny Rachitsky’s newsletter became my trusty sidekick, providing valuable insights into product management and growth strategies.
As I embraced my new role, I discovered that storytelling is like the secret sauce of product management. The art of selling ideas and visions to stakeholders required a blend of persuasion and communication skills. I definitely underestimated the value of crafting memorable and engaging narratives.
I wish I found balance sooner with the importance of embracing uncertainty and the iterative nature of Product Management when I first started. Product development is a dynamic and ever-evolving process, where the landscape can change rapidly due to market forces, competition, and customer feedback. Accepting this inherent uncertainty and staying adaptable is crucial to navigating the challenges that arise and making informed decisions. I already had experience with this having been at startups and hyper growth companies, but don’t get so caught up in following a formula or a particular methodology.
I also realized early on that even though I was not a CSM anymore that did not mean I did not still have customers or relationships to maintain. The value of cultivating strong relationships with cross-functional teams is vital. A Product Manager’s success heavily depends on collaboration, trust, and open communication with various stakeholders, including engineering, design, sales, and marketing teams. Your output is your team’s output. Building these relationships fosters a collaborative environment that enables better decision-making and more successful products.
This is probably a longer-term goal, but I wish I had appreciated the importance of striking a balance between being data-driven and trusting my instincts. While data is essential for guiding product decisions, it’s crucial not to lose sight of the human aspect. Empathy for users and intuition based on experience can play a significant role in shaping successful products that resonate with customers, even when the data might not paint the full picture. This is a tough one because as a new PM you might not have that “product sense” yet and data is absolute and explicit. Luckily, as Lenny and Jules Walter point out, you can definitely strengthen this important, yet sometimes vague, skill.
These lessons have shaped my growth and contributed to my success so far. I owe my growth to my curiosity, empathy, and knack for bringing out the best in others. Surrounding myself with people smarter than me (a humbling experience) kept me on my toes, constantly learning and improving. My ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams has been instrumental in fostering a unified vision and driving forward. By building strong relationships and maintaining open channels of communication, I’ve been able to create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued, leading to better outcomes.
Another factor contributing to my success is my commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and best practices. By actively seeking new knowledge and insights, I’ve been able to stay in touch with innovative ideas that have positively impacted the products I have worked on. Problems are not usually unique and someone somewhere has seen them before and will have ideas on how to tackle them.
My adaptability and resilience in the face of change and uncertainty have played a vital role in my success as a Product Manager as well. By embracing the iterative nature of product development and being open to experimentation and pivoting when needed, I’ve been able to navigate the complexities and challenges of the role more effectively. After all, the only constant is change.
Last, and certainly not least, my customer-centric approach and empathy toward our users have guided my decision-making process and helped me prioritize features and improvements that genuinely make a difference. By maintaining a strong focus on the user and their success, I’ve been able to build products that resonate.
Some Thoughts for Future Product Managers
If you’re itching to join the ranks of product management or think it’s something you’d want to explore, there are some things that could set you on the right path and help with the transition.
Cultivate curiosity and empathy: A successful Product Manager is driven by an insatiable curiosity and the ability to empathize with users. Hone these skills by asking questions, listening intently, and understanding the needs of both customers and stakeholders. This will enable you to create products that truly resonate and solve real-world problems.
Embrace cross-functional collaboration: Product Management is a team sport, requiring constant collaboration with diverse teams. Immerse yourself to appreciate their perspectives and effectively communicate your vision – everyone might have a different concept of what success looks like and it’ll be your job to make sure they’re aligned. You’ll not only foster strong relationships but also ensure that everyone is working in harmony towards a shared goal.
Never stop learning: The world of technology is always evolving, and as a Product Manager, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Invest in your professional growth by attending workshops, conferences, or enrolling in relevant courses. Seek mentors or peers you can learn from. Embrace a growth mindset and continuously seek out opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge.
Dive into diverse experiences: Startups are like a buffet of learning opportunities. Sample everything and discover how your decisions impact the company and its users. In the same vein, embrace your inner newbie. Questions are your best friend. Stay curious and never fear appearing inexperienced. After all, it is a never-ending learning journey.
Vocalize your aspirations: Don’t be shy about your dreams. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to lend a helping hand.
My journey into product management has been a dynamic, motivating, and at times challenging adventure. We are all feeling the impacts of a world changed by a pandemic and a tech industry adapting to diverse circumstances and influences. Perhaps, one of the most daunting tasks you’ll come across may be explaining to your family what a Product Manager actually does. If I could transition from pre-med to product management, imagine the possibilities that lie ahead in your own unique journey!
