For years, thought and expression had been democratized. Ultimately, the rod of creation had been surrendered to the people, and we watched chaos ensue (among other good things).

A liberated media is an invaluable commodity, don’t get me wrong. In fact, that type of unorganized drive gave momentum to otherwise underprivileged causes and previously silenced personalities, effectively leading traditional media and 20^th century propaganda machines to a state of near demise.

The product manager role has been around for decades, but its contributions have been generally overlooked and misunderstood.  Opportunities to apply the product manager skill set as a lever of growth had not been fully realized – or were missed entirely. No longer is that the case, according to the 2019 State of Product Leadership report, prepared by Pendo + Product Collective.

In this episode, hosts Sean and Joe speak with Pendo Chief Marketing Officer Jake Sorofman about the recent report and the continuous evolution of the product manager role. “It’s a role on the rise,” Jake says, “but also one in a state of transition. It's only in the last 10 years that digital product management has really come into focus as a very strategic part of the business.”

Engaging with our connected world has never been simpler. We do it from our workspace, favorite coffee shop, and the living room couch whenever the mood strikes us. With that simplicity, though, comes an obligation to engage in a constructive way. We live in an age where tactful communication is as evasive as it is crucial.

“But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

This classic lyric from Bono and U2 hails from their 1987 song of the same name. Unfortunately, this introspection often typifies many users’ experience when using the search functionality on a site or platform.

No parent has yet found a way to escape this exasperating line of questioning. We should be grateful. For as frustrating as the interrogation becomes, its purity of purpose cannot be denied. Focus on the why.