The 3 W's Career Growth Framework
by Vikrama Dhiman • Head of Product at Gojek
Vikrama leads product management, design, and research at Gojek, overseeing teams across India, Singapore, and Indonesia. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential product leaders in Asia, known for building strong talent pipelines and effective product organizations.
🎙️ Episode Context
In this episode, Vikrama Dhiman breaks down his "3 W's" framework for product manager career growth, emphasizing the balance between execution (output) and influence (operating model). He discusses the specific skills required to transition into product management, how to audit one's own career stagnation, and the art of managing stakeholders without being difficult.
Problem It Solves
Helps PMs identify why their career is stalling and clarifies expectations at different seniority levels.
Framework Overview
A diagnostic tool evaluating a PM's value based on tangible output, the intellectual depth they add to that output, and how they interact with the organization.
🧠 Framework Structure
What You Produce (Output): Focus on t...
What You Bring to the Table (Impact o...
What's Your Operating Model: Communic...
When to Use
During performance reviews, self-reflection when seeking promotion, or when mentoring junior PMs.
Common Mistakes
Focusing too much on 'Strategy' (Outcome) too early while neglecting basic 'Output' (Execution), or ignoring the 'Operating Model' as one becomes senior.
Real World Example
A PM might lead a high-impact product area but fail to get promoted because their PRDs are shallow (low 'What you bring') or they are difficult to work with (poor 'Operating Model').
The mistake I see a lot of product managers make is they start operating in either output or outcomes... You always, always have to have the output and outcome even when you're moving up.
— Vikrama Dhiman