Managing Your Career Like a Product with Kirsten Butzow

What if you approached your career the same way you approach product management—strategically, iteratively, and with a clear roadmap? 

In this episode of Product Chats, we’re joined by Kirsten Butzow, product leadership expert, to explore a structured, strategic approach to career management. Kirsten introduces a three-phase career framework—Do, Build, and Catalyst—each lasting approximately 10-12 years, guiding professionals through skill development, leadership growth, and long-term impact. 

She explains how early career phases focus on honing skills and defining a niche, mid-career success depends on achieving through others, and later stages are about accelerating people, systems, and processes. Kirsten also shares why planning your exit isn’t a final step, but an integrated part of career growth at every stage. 

Tune in for insights on managing your career with the same strategic mindset you apply to your products. 

For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts 

Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com.