Getting2Alpha Merci Victoria Grace: Product vision meets collaborative leadership
May 9, 2018
Merci Victoria Grace, a talented product manager who recently led growth at Slack, shares her journey from journalism to the game design industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration in product management and how addressing user needs drives innovation. Merci reflects on the toxic workplace culture at EA that led her to shift towards consulting and product management. She emphasizes the necessity of a clear vision and proactive engagement in successful product strategies, while also highlighting the value of writing and mentorship in personal growth.
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EA Experience and Burnout
- At EA, Merci experienced a bro-ish culture lacking transparency and growth mindset.
- This environment led her to burn out on the game industry, and she hasn't worked on a game since then.
Path to Slack and Early Attraction
- Merci transitioned to product management after consulting, taking roles at Couchsurfing and GigWalk.
- She discovered Slack, loved its seamless experience, and had a prior connection to Stuart Butterworth which facilitated joining Slack.
Prepare Work Before Interviews
- Doing work ahead of time shows you care and helps assess mutual fit when seeking a product management role.
- Present concrete ideas or decks to demonstrate your understanding and initiative, especially when a formal hiring process is absent.