What Kind of Year Has It Been?

One of my favorite TV writers, Aaron Sorkin, has a tradition of titling season/series finales "What Kind of Day Has It Been?" I believe he’s done it four times (Sports Night, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Newsroom, and The West Wing). As we wrap up 2024, I find myself asking a similar question: What kind of year has it been for product leadership?

Let's address it head-on: 2024 was the year AI went from buzzword to reality in product management. Scott Galloway captures it perfectly when he says, "AI won't take your job, but someone who understands AI will." But here's a provocative thought: while everyone's been obsessing over AI features and capabilities, many of us missed the real transformation happening under our noses. The strongest performers I've worked with this year weren't the ones building AI products – they were the ones using AI to amplify their leadership capabilities and build stronger teams.

This year delivered some hard truths about product leadership. I've watched countless talented product managers struggle with the leap to leadership, not because they lack technical skills or strategic thinking, but because they can't let go of being the "product person" and fully embrace being the "product people person."

Here's the thing: if you spent 2024 primarily focused on product strategy and roadmaps rather than developing your team, you might be doing leadership wrong.

As we look toward 2025, one thing is clear: the bar for product leadership is rising. The days of "fake it till you make it" leadership are over. Leading product teams requires a unique blend of technical savvy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate increasing complexity. It’s not enough to simply understand AI, to thrive you need to understand how to use it to create space for more human connection, deeper strategic thinking, and meaningful team development.

My prediction? The product leaders who excel in 2025 won't be the ones with the most impressive tech stack or the biggest budgets. They'll be the ones who can build resilient teams, foster genuine trust, and maintain their humanity in an increasingly automated world.

As I reflect on countless conversations with product leaders this year, one theme keeps emerging: the real challenge isn't keeping up with technology – it's maintaining our humanity in an increasingly tech-driven world. Success in 2024 wasn't about having the most technical knowledge; it was about building trust, fostering psychological safety, and inspiring teams to take bold risks.

What kind of year has it been? It's been a year of realizing that while AI might make us better at our jobs, it won't make us better leaders. That part? That's still on us.

Break a Pencil,

Michael

www.breakapencil.com

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Section School put on an AI:ROI one-day virtual conference a few weeks ago and one of the sessions was, for me, the “perfect storm” - Scott Galloway + AI. Click the image below to watch Scott’s 45-minute presentation “AI Optimist.” It’s incredibly insightful along with being punchy, witty, and sarcastic all at the same time. Bonus because the slides that Scott’s team produces are fantastic. Really interesting learnings for me included:

Very highly recommended.