Crafting a compelling product vision | Ebi Atawodi (YouTube, Netflix, Uber)

Crafting a compelling vision, aligned with a clear mission, is essential for guiding teams and companies towards success. Developing a strong product vision requires empathizing with customers, understanding their problems, and creating a solution that addresses them. Effective evangelism and communication can bring the vision to life, driving buy-in and alignment from stakeholders. Product managers bring clarity and conviction to the development process through the narrative, insights, strategy, and big rocks framework, which guides teams in their planning and roadmap creation. A supportive and positive culture, built on vulnerability, empathy, and love, enables teams to thrive and achieve great things. Takeaways • Vision should balance loftiness and realism while grounding in a potent problem, making it a compelling narrative that drives action. • Vision and mission are interconnected, mission providing the purpose while vision shapes decisions and inspiring action. • Alternative approaches to product announcements can deliver the message as a problem solution, with clarity in messaging and the use of different channels to connect with the audience. • Involve designers and use storytelling to make a product vision relatable and inspiring, incorporating customer empathy and understanding. • User research plays a crucial role in developing an intimate understanding of the customer's mental model and needs. • Clarity and conviction in communication are key to presenting a clear narrative, insight, strategy, and big rocks for informed decision-making. • A well-crafted narrative guides teams to plan and execute their roadmap, providing a concise explanation of the company's purpose and goals. • Conviction in vision is not about certainty, but rather knowing what you believe in and investing in the right battles with passion and commitment. • A strong team culture fosters vulnerability, empathy, and love, leading to a supportive and engaged environment that drives success. • YouTube's vision emphasizes empowerment and support for creators, offering features to enhance storytelling and audience engagement. • Empathy, gained from diverse experiences, fuels strong product leaders, urging them to identify problems and design innovative solutions. • Embracing personal development, mindfulness, and practical tools like Steve's Cycle music alarm can foster a better mindset and improve well-being.