<aside> <img src="notion://custom_emoji/e8415fc7-7034-4c12-aec9-ad9f826887cc/1e97f98c-e5d7-8059-b156-007a002ceeda" alt="notion://custom_emoji/e8415fc7-7034-4c12-aec9-ad9f826887cc/1e97f98c-e5d7-8059-b156-007a002ceeda" width="40px" />
This template supports “The Mnookin Two-Pager” exercise (Chapter 4, Never Search Alone). Delete the sample content before you start your own draft.
It’s often easier to brainstorm ideas as a flat list to get all your thoughts down and you can use the buttons on this page to quickly create new points. Once you have a list, can you group related points together (like in the fictitious example).
Before you start sharing your thoughts during your Listening Tour, create a simplified, 3-section version.
</aside>
<aside> ℹ️
This is an internal, living document that’s never considered “final.” View the simplified, external-facing version here.
</aside>
Clarifies the work, environments, and responsibilities that energize me versus those that drain me.
💙 Deep dives into complex technical problems and systems 💙 Analyzing data for user behavior and product insights 💙 Translating user needs & tech possibilities into clear specs 💙 Learning new technologies and technical domains
🚫 Purely project management tasks lacking analytical depth 🚫 Feeling disconnected from the technical build
💙 Fast-paced environments with tangible progress
🚫 Strategic ambiguity and constant priority shifts ("fire drills") 🚫 Excessive bureaucracy and slow decision-making
💙 Close collaboration with engineering on execution 💙 Working within a small, focused product/engineering team
🚫 Meetings heavy, low-outcome meetings 🚫 Navigating internal politics and constantly "selling" ideas 🚫 Frequent high-stakes executive presentations 🚫 Managing relationships across numerous stakeholder groups
💙 Seeing products through the full lifecycle 💙 Contributing to products with a clear, positive mission
Establishes the essential factors for job satisfaction and the deal-breakers I want to avoid.
🔵 A role with a clear path to management/mentorship 🔵 Clear opportunities to learn and grow, especially towards leadership
⛔ Roles primarily focused on stakeholder management, politics, sales enablement, or program management without significant product/tech depth
🔵 A fast-paced startup or growth-stage tech company
⛔ Large, slow corporations; rigid processes ⛔ Non-tech industries
🔵 Supportive, product-savvy manager who values my strengths and mentors on strategy/leadership
🔵 Clear, relatable company mission; work must feel impactful 🔵 Culture values technical depth, data, focused execution
⛔ Highly political, sales-driven cultures ⛔ Environments that don't value analysis/tech ⛔ "Hustle culture”
🔵 Hybrid work environment
⛔ Fully remote or 5-days-a-week in-office roles ⛔ Significant travel (>10-15%)
⛔ Unclear or constantly shifting strategy
Defines my short-term and long-term career aspirations to guide my job search and professional growth.
Identifies what I excel at and areas where I want to grow or avoid in my next role.