From Product Strategy to Career Strategy
Rohit Garg,
Head of Product, The Times of India
A candid reflection on key learnings, insights, and practical wisdom accumulated over 15 years of navigating the product landscape.
The Context & The "Disclaimers"
Subjectivity Matters
These learnings are rooted in personal experiences—shaped by specific contexts, teams, and challenges. Not everyone will agree with every point, and that's perfectly fine. What works in one environment may not apply universally.
Goal of This Session
The aim is simple: for at least a few concepts to "click" and resonate with you. If even one insight sparks a change in how you approach your work or career, this session has succeeded.
Reality Check
The corporate world is a Test match, not a T20. Success requires patience, endurance, and consistent performance over time—not just quick wins and flashy moves.
The Core Job of a Product Leader
The #1 Rule: PRIORITISE
The most critical skill for any Product Manager is the ability to prioritise ruthlessly. With infinite ideas and finite resources, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.
Maintain Steadfast Focus
Keep your eyes locked on the defined end objective, even when the path twists and turns. The route may change, but the destination should remain clear.
Define Constraints Upfront
Before starting any new development, always establish constraining factors—time, budget, resources, and technical limitations. Constraints breed clarity and creativity.
Execution & The "Glamour" Myth
The Myth: Glamorous Work Awaits
Many enter product management expecting to work on breakthrough innovations and high-visibility projects. The reality? Much of the work is unglamorous—bug fixes, incremental improvements, and operational excellence.
The Reality: Small Wins Stack Up
Don't underestimate the power of incremental progress. Small improvements compound faster than you can imagine. A 1% improvement every week leads to massive gains over a year.
Communication is Non-Negotiable
Always be crystal clear in your communication. Over-communicate if necessary. Ambiguity breeds confusion, delays, and frustration. Clarity accelerates execution.
The Innovation Mindset
Generate Ideas
Start with curiosity and creativity. Encourage wild ideas and foster a culture where no suggestion is dismissed too quickly.
Experiment Boldly
Test assumptions with low-cost experiments. Build prototypes, run pilots, and gather real-world data before committing significant resources.
Fail or Succeed
Not every experiment will succeed—and that's okay. Failure is feedback. Learn from what didn't work and double down on what did.
Iterate & Repeat
Use insights to refine your approach. The cycle never stops—continuous improvement is the hallmark of great product teams.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Fail fast, iterate faster. And remember: don't always reinvent the wheel—sometimes the best solution already exists.
Transitioning from IC to Manager
Individual Contributor
  • Success measured by personal output
  • Deep focus on execution and technical excellence
  • Direct control over your work and results
  • Recognition comes from individual achievements
Manager
  • Success measured by team's collective output
  • Focus shifts to enabling others and removing blockers
  • Success depends on your ability to trust and delegate
  • Recognition comes from team's achievements

Critical Insight: Being a good Individual Contributor doesn't automatically make you a good manager. Your success is now strictly dependent on your team's success. Learn to let go and avoid micromanagement.
Building High-Performance Teams
Hire for Dependability
Dependable employees who show up consistently and work well with others are far more valuable than "high-performing jerks" who disrupt team dynamics and create toxic environments.
Make Yourself Redundant
Good managers should aim to make themselves redundant. Build systems, empower team members, and create a culture where the team can thrive even in your absence.
Strategy is the Art of Closing Doors
Strategy is often the art of "closing doors"—deciding 'what not to do'. Saying "no" to good ideas creates space for great ones. Focus is the ultimate competitive advantage.
The Professional "Self": Ego & Discipline
1
Practise Humility
It pays to be humble. Don't let ego cloud your judgement or damage relationships. The best leaders listen more than they speak and admit when they're wrong.
2
Embrace Discipline
Discipline in your approach—to work, communication, and decision-making—creates consistency and trust. It's the foundation of long-term success.
3
Remember the Big Picture
The organisation is always bigger than the individual. Your role is to serve the mission, not to build a personal empire. Leave your ego at the door.
Career Strategy for MBA Graduates
Brand Name Gets You In
A prestigious brand on your CV opens doors, but hard work is what gets you far. Don't rest on your laurels—prove your worth every single day.
Smart Work Trumps Hard Work
Working long hours isn't a badge of honour if you're solving the wrong problems. Focus on high-impact activities and leverage your time wisely.
Don't Job-Hop Recklessly
Loyalty and patience matter. Don't be a trigger-happy job hunter. Deep expertise and strong relationships take time to build—give yourself that time.
Keep Upskilling
The learning never stops. Stay curious, think outside the box, and continuously invest in developing new skills and perspectives.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Stay User-Centric
Never lose sight of the people you're building for. Empathy and user understanding drive the best product decisions.
Be Approachable
Create an environment where your team feels comfortable sharing ideas, challenges, and feedback. Approachability fosters trust and collaboration.
Work on Processes
Great products are built on great processes. Invest time in creating systems that scale, reduce friction, and enable consistent execution.
Questions?
Thank you for your time and attention. Let's open the floor for discussion, questions, and your own experiences.