5 Product Management takeaways from AfroTech 2019:

AfroTech 2019 was an epic experience for technologists, designers and everyone in between. This 4-day conference was packed with tech giants and experts from around the country who came together in Oakland, California to combine black culture, a thoughtfully curated technology driven agenda, networking. I had the fortune of attending with Capital One's Blacks in Tech business resource group & met a multitude of professionals & students to share my experience in PM and #lifeatCapitalOne

While I wasn’t networking and enjoying the cultural experience, I had a chance to attend some of the conference sessions in the Learning Lab and was pleasantly surprised that each session provided copious takeaways, regardless of professional background.

Here’s a few that I wanted to share, from a Product perspective:

1. “GOY” aka Get Over Yourself:

As product managers, we tend to wear several hats and can sometimes find ourselves making decisions based on the multitude of opinions in our ears. Alternatively, there are the confident and independent PM, who make themselves the source of truth for product decisions (ugh). This GOY concept, introduced by Facebook’s Irene Walker speaks to the real purpose of product: to add value & to solve a user problem. Bottom line: Don’t think you have to have all the answers - connect, listen, discover user needs, and then lead based on value, not gut feeling.

2. WTF! Feelings Matter:

With every company now being “a tech company that happens to do X”, we see technical roles rise to the forefront, and the frameworks & technical jargon leading the way. PMs play a huge role in sometimes being the liaison with other, non-technical team members or stakeholders - but we can’t forget about the driver behind the tech: the people (i.e., user). WTF, short for “What’s the Feeling” was another of Irene’s catchy acronyms that alluded to the “emotional script” our products or services should bring users - a sometimes forgotten sentiment when deep in the tech world. Irene’s cultural cues like having “Purpose Driven Businesses”, inspired by TD Jakes, and a Maya Angelou reference really set the imagery for the audience in how our products should evoke feelings. The overall message was that in order to evoke an emotion in your user, you have to first feel it yourself. A great habit to put into practice for product teams!

3. Tech is not magic, it’s work:

Between defects, production issues, tech and design not being aligned, impediments during standup and managing leadership requests, the product role can be demanding sometimes. According to Apple Design lead, Wyatt Mitchell - the technology we work on is not magic, it’s just work. Product managers lead the vision of that “work” and have to remember that it’s not magic & it doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of breaking down into smaller pieces & designing & redesigning to get it right. Adopt the mindset that the technology we build takes dedication, iteration & continued user input.

4. Learning and Unlearning is a part of the journey:

During the Design Panel hosted by Apple, there was a healthy discussion about design and engineering & how the lanes for each have historically been distinct, and now there is a push for one to have empathy for the other. When working with cross functional teams, there has to be a lot of learning involved by all parties. Teaching is part of the process as well, in order for others to understand where you’re coming. PMs should expect to spearhead and facilitate this learning and Unlearning process! It’s an iterative journey.

5. Use your FORMULA:

I especially loved this tip from Group Creative Director at Apple (and fellow Hamptonian), Rem Duplessis, when he spoke about his career switch and location change from NYC to Silicon Valley and the culture change that he experienced. It put me in the mindset of changing product teams and having to quickly adapt and learn another language to be an effective leader. He suggested that we remind ourselves: you have the formula to overcome adversity and difficult situations because you have done it many times before. Remind yourself of where you came from and the many times you’ve solved problems and overcame - even when it seemed impossible! 

Overall my first AfroTech experience was one to remember. There’s so many more lessons to add, but these are just a few highlights!

If you attended this year, comment below any of your top takeaways from AfroTech.