Deb Liu's Career Insights and Advice

Background

• Former roles:
  • VP of Product at Facebook
  • Director at eBay and PayPal
  • CEO of Ancestry for 3.5 years
  • Board member at Intuit
• Known for creating and leading Facebook Marketplace

Key Career Advice

Always Be Learning

• Continual learning will eventually surpass current expertise.
• Balance learning with impact.
• Each job should be an opportunity to become better.

The Role of Resilience

• Successful careers are built on resilience, not avoidance of failure.
• Failures provide learning opportunities and ways to become stronger.

Navigating Career Path

• Career paths are often non-linear.
• Importance of taking deliberate steps rather than drifting.
• Every decision should align with a larger career goal.

PM Your Career Like a Product

• Have a plan for your career, similar to writing a product spec.
• Define metrics for success and milestones.
• Intentionality in career can lead to better outcomes.

Building Zero to One in Big Companies

• High risk but potentially high reward.
• Requires patience and a portfolio strategy approach.
• Innovation should have room to fail without excessive scrutiny.

Working as an Introvert

• Workplace often favors extroverts.
• Introverts need to find ways to "market" their achievements.
• Shift focus from self-promotion to educating about team contributions.

Tactical Career Advice

30-60-90 Day Plan

• First 30 Days: Focus on listening and learning.
• Next 30 Days: Align on vision and goals.
• Final 30 Days: Begin executing and having measurable impact.

Building Trust and Influence

• Develop relationships and understand the team dynamics early.
• Use feedback as a gift for growth, not a criticism.

Growth Strategies

• Growth is often a game of small, incremental improvements.
• Optimize continuously for better user experiences.
• Align growth strategy with long-term product vision.

Practical Insights

Overcoming Self-Promotion Bias

• Reframe self-promotion as team advocacy and education.
• Practical steps include writing, sharing insights, and engaging with teams.

Advice for Aspiring Product Managers

• Show passion for the problem, not just the solution.
• Be willing to learn and adapt, and demonstrate curiosity.

Personal Insights

Importance of Personal Relationships

• The most critical career decision may be personal, like who you marry.
• Balance between personal life and career is essential for success.

These notes summarize key insights and strategies shared by Deb Liu during her conversation with Lenny, focusing on career development, leadership, and personal growth in the tech industry.