What I've Learned About Being a Product Manager from Harshibar
This story originally appeared on Calendar
Recently, I watched Harshibar's video about her experience as a Product Manager at a unicorn startup called Coda. As someone interested in tech careers, her insights resonated with me and offered a realistic glimpse into the PM role that goes beyond the glossy job descriptions we often see.
What struck me most was how she described the constant context switching required in her position. This isn't just about multitasking—it's about rapidly shifting between different mental frameworks, projects, and stakeholder needs throughout the day.
The Hidden Challenges of Product Management
Harshibar's morning routine reveals something many aspiring PMs don't consider: the precious value of uninterrupted work time. She mentioned having a block from 9 to 11:30 AM for solo work because most of her team is in various time zones. This is fascinating because it highlights how PMs must strategically guard their focus time.
Finding large chunks of time without meetings is like discovering gold in the PM world. This protected time allows for the deep thinking work that drives product decisions, whether preparing write-ups, responding thoughtfully to messages, or planning upcoming projects.
The back-to-back meetings that fill her calendar after this morning's block showcase another reality of the role. I understand her comment about how draining back-to-back meetings can be—especially when you're new to the job. The mental stamina required to stay present and engaged through hours of video calls is substantial. It's difficult when all your team members are new. Teams you are familiar with and friends make a big difference. New teams are hard to break into personally, which a PM must do.
The Mental Gymnastics Required
What I found most insightful was Harshibar's description of the mental gymnastics involved in PM work. She explained:
The kind of interesting and challenging aspect of being a PM from my experience at least is that there is a lot of context switching involved in the role… I'm basically meeting with some people who are in the best of their field whether it's design or engineering or marketing… To step into a meeting as a product manager and to kind of drive a decision or lead some product vision I need to come up to speed with what's going on.
This perfectly captures what makes the role both exciting and exhausting. PMs must:
Quickly absorb complex information across multiple domains
Ask insightful questions that move projects forward
Make decisions without always having a clear 'right answer'
Switch contexts between wildly different projects throughout the day
Mental flexibility is both the greatest challenge and the most valuable skill a PM can develop. It's not just about knowing a little bit about everything—it's about knowing how to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Finding Balance in a Demanding Role
What I appreciate about Harshibar's candid take is how she acknowledges the need for breaks. She mentions stepping outside, having coffee, or playing with her dog Yogi between meetings. These small moments of respite aren't luxuries—they're necessities for maintaining the mental clarity needed to perform effectively.
The remote work aspect of her job at Coda also offers flexibility that wouldn't be possible with a traditional commute. Instead of spending up to an hour and a half traveling each way, she can use that time for focused work or personal restoration.
The PM role seems to demand a careful balancing act between intense focus and intentional breaks. Without this balance, the constant context switching might quickly lead to burnout.
My Takeaways for Aspiring PMs
After reflecting on Harshibar's day in the life, I've developed a few thoughts for anyone considering this career path:
Protect your focus time fiercely—it's when your most valuable work happens Develop strategies to manage your energy through meeting-heavy days Practice the art of context switching as a deliberate skill Build in small breaks to reset your mind between different projects Recognize that feeling mentally stretched is normal, not a sign of inadequacy
The PM role clearly isn't for everyone. It requires comfort with ambiguity, strong communication skills, and the ability to make decisions with incomplete information. But it offers a unique challenge for those who thrive on variety and enjoy connecting different disciplines.
I'm grateful for Harshibar's honest portrayal of her experience. It's refreshing to see beyond the job title to the lived reality of product management—its demands and rewards. For anyone considering this path, her video offers valuable insight into what the day-to-day entails, beyond the buzzwords and job descriptions.
Photo by fauxels, Pexels
The post What I've Learned About Being a Product Manager from Harshibar appeared first on Calendar.
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