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Decoder with Nilay Patel

‘We might be wrong, but we’re not confused’: how Tomer Cohen, chief product officer at LinkedIn, figures out what works best

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Vox Media Podcast Network

Technology, Business

4.33.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 December 2022

⏱️ 79 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Tomer Cohen is the chief product officer at LinkedIn, and actually, I talked to Tomer twice. Here’s a little secret about Decoder: we do the interviews, and then often, the guest and I just keep chatting for a while. So after my first interview with Tomer, we were hanging out, talking about the perpetual battles between engineers, product managers, and designers. And he said something that completely jumped out at me: “We might be wrong, but we’re not fucking confused.” This isn’t a totally new line — it’s been floating around for a while, you can Google it — but you know I love an f-bomb, and honestly, it’s one of the most simple and clarifying things a manager can say, especially when managing across large teams. So I asked Tomer to come back and really dig in on that idea. On top of that, we’ve been talking a lot about running social networks lately, and LinkedIn is a fascinating social network because it doesn’t have the same engagement-based success metrics as other social platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Tomer doesn’t care about time spent on LinkedIn; the platform is designed to be successful when people get new jobs. That means his ideas for features and user experiences are just really different. Links: Employment Situation Summary (Jobs Report) December Workforce Report 2022 (LinkedIn) Vision to values flowchart ChatGPT proves AI is finally mainstream — and things are only going to get weirder LinkedIn buys California-based SaaS learning platform How big companies kill ideas — and how to fight back, with Tony Fadell RAPID decision making Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/23281360 Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. It was produced by Creighton DeSimone and Jackie McDermott and it was edited by Callie Wright. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Editorial Director is Brooke Minters and our Executive Director is Eleanor Donovan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Support for this episode comes from Cover Genius. The insure tech for embedded insurance

0:05.8

that is changing the insurance landscape finally. With a simple API integration, Cover Genius

0:11.4

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and more, Cover Genius's platform embeds global protection to customers for any online transaction,

0:28.6

whether purchasing from one of the world's largest retailers, Fintech's online travel agencies

0:32.9

or banks or signing up for loans, pet insurance or contract work, Cover Genius ensures that

0:38.0

relevant protection is in place. Happy your customers, unlocked growth. It's insurance

0:42.8

the way insurance should be. Visit covergenius.com slash box today to learn more.

0:51.2

This episode is sponsored by Code Commons, an original podcast from Red Hat. Post-Burf Sutter

0:56.5

is a Red Hatter and Life-Long Developer Advocate and Community Organizer. In each episode,

1:02.0

Burfs sits down with experienced technologists from across the industry to trade stories

1:07.2

and talk about what they've learned from their experiences. Hopefully, you'll be able to

1:12.1

pick up some helpful knowledge too. Because there's a lot of work required to bring a project

1:17.2

from Whiteboard to development and none of us can do it alone. Episodes are available anywhere

1:22.6

you listen to podcasts and at redhat.com slash code comments podcast. Search for code comments

1:29.1

in your podcast player. Thanks to code comments for their support.

1:34.3

Hello and welcome to Decoder. I'm Neil Epitell, Editor and Chief of the Verge and Decoder is my

1:38.4

show about big ideas and other problems. Today I'm talking to Tomor Cohen, who's the Chief

1:43.8

Product Officer at LinkedIn. And actually, I talk to Tomor twice. Here's a little secret about

1:49.4

Decoder. We do the interviews and then often the guests and I just keep hanging out and chatting

1:55.3

for a while without the pressure of the podcast. It's always really interesting and loose. I learned

...

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