Why half of product managers are in trouble | Nikhyl Singhal (Meta, Google)
In a Nutshell
Product management is undergoing a renaissance driven by AI, obsoleting "information movers" (half of PMs) while rewarding hands-on builders who exercise judgment on rapid changes, testing, and differentiation—leading to massive staff shedding followed by rehiring of AI-first talent in the next 12-24 months. Builders thrive with record compensation, joy from direct creation (e.g., vibe coding personal tools via Claude/Cursor), and expanding roles into founding, C-level, or non-product functions. To survive, PMs must embrace reinvention now: find joy in building, obsolete rote tasks with AI, stay modern despite burnout risks, and prioritize long-term positioning over ego or past brands.
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The skills that used to be really valued in product managers are changing substantially. The industry is in stress. Nothing's constant. Everyone's in a state of alert. Three years ago, product leaders' days were largely moving information. The information mover is becoming a dinosaur.
A recent report shows the most open PM roles globally in three plus years.
This is a complete renaissance for the product industry, but with strings attached. In the next 12 to 24 months, massive shedding of staff followed by massive rehiring. A company might shed 30,000 and hire 8,000, but the 8,000 will all be AI first. Builders will have the time of their lives, but if you don't love building stuff, you're in trouble.
To thrive, increase pace and find reserve. The next 2 years requires fire in the belly.
Nikhyl Singhal is the number one best source of career advice for product managers and tech people. Longtime exec at Meta and Google, CPO at Credit Karma, four-time founder. Leads Skip community for heads of product and chief product officers, and larger Skip Coach community for tech professionals. Through communities, 30 years building consumer products at scale, and podcast, constantly gathers insights from top product leaders worldwide.
Episode for every product person. Real talk and actionable overview of what's happening, where things are heading, and what to do now.
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