Micro-Interview: Elitsa Taskova | Chief Product Officer | Nexo
💬"The company shapes the role, not the other way around. You can’t be your best as a Product Manager in a poorly functioning company. So, find a company where you can learn and grow."
INTRO NOTE:
Elitsa Taskova serves as Chief Product Officer at Nexo, the world’s leading digital assets institution. The company’s mission is to maximize the value and utility of cryptocurrencies.
In under 500 words, she shares:
How she got into product management…
How she starts her mornings for maximum productivity…
Some of her sources of learning…
And more…
Enjoy!
“How did you get into product management?”
I didn’t initially pursue product management; it naturally evolved from my work as a QA Engineer on a product I was passionate about. By immersing myself in understanding the business challenges and opportunities we faced without being confined by roles or titles, I realized that product management isn’t just a title—
it’s about connecting strategy with execution and delivering real value.
Once I recognized that this was where my true interests lay, I chose to continue on this path.
“How do you start your mornings at work?”
My current position requires me to be highly flexible. I typically start the day by checking Slack, emails, and key industry news. After addressing urgent matters, I carve out time for focused work or meetings. I avoid scheduling meetings or deep work sessions before lunch to ensure all pressing issues are handled first.
“What do you know about product management now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”
The company shapes the role, not the other way around.
You can’t be your best as a Product Manager in a poorly functioning company. I suspected this early in my career, but now I’m certain. So, find a company where you can learn and grow.
Product management practices vary widely across companies.
You must be prepared to either learn and adapt or work to change them. It’s unlikely for things to be exactly as you imagine.
You don’t want everyone on the team to be the same. Diversity is critical for successful product teams (for managers).
“What did your biggest product failure teach you?”
Small things can have a huge impact, so you can't afford to remain on the surface; you must always dive deep.
Something as simple as a wrong error message can disrupt an entire flow—I’ve seen it first-hand.
Fully owning and recognizing your mistakes early is crucial for effectively managing the outcomes. It's also important to remain mindful of sunk costs and not let them cloud your judgment when making or sticking with decisions.
“What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your product management learning curve?”
Understanding that you can't excel at everything and focusing on what truly energizes you and aligns with your inner self is the fastest way to progress and achieve results.
Others' approaches aren’t necessarily yours—learn from them, but don’t simply copy. Work on your confidence and communication skills—they are invaluable in work and life.
“How do you stay updated on the best practices in product management?”
I read books, follow interesting people on LinkedIn, and subscribe to newsletters. Some of my top recommendations include Marc Randolph, Marty Cagan (of course), Lenny Rachitsky, and Jason Fried, though many more are worth exploring.