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The Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) recently hosted an inspiring evening on the art of career pivots, featuring insights from seasoned product leader Joey Benedict. Held at Rose Rocket’s lively office space, this event was a full house, with many attendees joining their first TPMA gathering. Andrew Williams, TPMA board member and Director of Product at Vertical City, set the tone, highlighting TPMA’s journey and its foundation of community-driven growth through passionate members, sponsors, and volunteers.
Joey Benedict’s talk, The Art of the Career Pivot: Turning Challenge Into Opportunity, brought the audience on a journey through his diverse career path, weaving through major tech players like Microsoft, BlackBerry, and his current role at Kira Systems. His story is a testament to the power of embracing discomfort and using setbacks as a springboard for growth. Joey candidly shared his personal philosophy, “If you’re uncomfortable, you’re growing,” explaining that moving beyond comfort zones led to some of his most rewarding and transformative career moments. His willingness to push through discomfort even led him to roles he didn’t initially feel qualified for, proving that growth often lies beyond our comfort zones.
Throughout his talk, Joey highlighted how career challenges can be redefined as opportunities to grow and innovate. When confronted with setbacks—whether a team restructuring at Microsoft or BlackBerry’s strategic pivots in the face of a changing tech landscape—Joey demonstrated how remaining open to new directions can reveal unexpected opportunities. His decision to stay at BlackBerry, even as many colleagues left during turbulent times, resulted in unique, career-defining projects, such as the creation of BlackBerry’s gestural interface and a transition to product management. His message was clear: being receptive to change can turn apparent obstacles into career milestones.
Joey’s career story also underscored the importance of fostering genuine relationships and leading with empathy. He recounted difficult moments, like closing BlackBerry offices, with a commitment to keeping humanity at the forefront. Joey emphasized that authentic connections are built by truly caring about your teammates and valuing collaboration over competition. He advised that strong, trusting relationships with colleagues not only make tough times more bearable but can also lead to future opportunities and support down the road. For aspiring product leaders, Joey suggested that prioritizing compassion and a willingness to support others are vital components of long-term success.
As technology evolves, so does the need for adaptability in product management. Joey shared his experience with the emergence of generative AI, notably with tools like ChatGPT, and the impact this had on his current role at Kira Systems. Though his team had already been utilizing AI, Joey recognized the transformative potential of generative AI early on. Rather than waiting to see how the technology developed, he encouraged his team to dive into research and innovation, ultimately launching a new feature within six months. This quick pivot underscored his belief that staying open to new trends and taking calculated risks are essential for product leaders aiming to remain relevant and competitive.
To round out his talk, Joey shared actionable advice for those navigating their own career paths. For those transitioning sectors, he recommended focusing on building foundational skills in product management and using curiosity to bridge knowledge gaps in new industries. Emphasizing the importance of polish and attention to detail, Joey advised PMs to prioritize user experience, even in fast-paced environments.
For aspiring product managers, Joey’s advice boiled down to three key principles:
As a final takeaway, Joey shared his personal motto: “Have fun, build stuff.” This mantra is a reflection of his approach to both career and life—an encouragement to enjoy the journey, seek out challenges, and take pride in creating impactful products. He emphasized that we spend much of our lives working, so finding joy in the process and constantly pushing ourselves to grow and create is essential.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A, where Joey offered tailored advice on topics ranging from transitioning into product management to working effectively with cross-functional teams. Attendees left with not only Joey’s insights but also a sense of community fostered by TPMA’s commitment to supporting Toronto’s product management professionals.
Want to learn more from industry leaders like Joey Benedict ? Join us at TPMA’s upcoming events!
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The Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) recently hosted an inspiring evening on the art of career pivots, featuring insights from seasoned product leader Joey Benedict. Held at Rose Rocket’s lively office space, this event was a full house, with many attendees joining their first TPMA gathering. Andrew Williams, TPMA board member and Director of Product at Vertical City, set the tone, highlighting TPMA’s journey and its foundation of community-driven growth through passionate members, sponsors, and volunteers.
Joey Benedict’s talk, The Art of the Career Pivot: Turning Challenge Into Opportunity, brought the audience on a journey through his diverse career path, weaving through major tech players like Microsoft, BlackBerry, and his current role at Kira Systems. His story is a testament to the power of embracing discomfort and using setbacks as a springboard for growth. Joey candidly shared his personal philosophy, “If you’re uncomfortable, you’re growing,” explaining that moving beyond comfort zones led to some of his most rewarding and transformative career moments. His willingness to push through discomfort even led him to roles he didn’t initially feel qualified for, proving that growth often lies beyond our comfort zones.
Throughout his talk, Joey highlighted how career challenges can be redefined as opportunities to grow and innovate. When confronted with setbacks—whether a team restructuring at Microsoft or BlackBerry’s strategic pivots in the face of a changing tech landscape—Joey demonstrated how remaining open to new directions can reveal unexpected opportunities. His decision to stay at BlackBerry, even as many colleagues left during turbulent times, resulted in unique, career-defining projects, such as the creation of BlackBerry’s gestural interface and a transition to product management. His message was clear: being receptive to change can turn apparent obstacles into career milestones.
Joey’s career story also underscored the importance of fostering genuine relationships and leading with empathy. He recounted difficult moments, like closing BlackBerry offices, with a commitment to keeping humanity at the forefront. Joey emphasized that authentic connections are built by truly caring about your teammates and valuing collaboration over competition. He advised that strong, trusting relationships with colleagues not only make tough times more bearable but can also lead to future opportunities and support down the road. For aspiring product leaders, Joey suggested that prioritizing compassion and a willingness to support others are vital components of long-term success.
As technology evolves, so does the need for adaptability in product management. Joey shared his experience with the emergence of generative AI, notably with tools like ChatGPT, and the impact this had on his current role at Kira Systems. Though his team had already been utilizing AI, Joey recognized the transformative potential of generative AI early on. Rather than waiting to see how the technology developed, he encouraged his team to dive into research and innovation, ultimately launching a new feature within six months. This quick pivot underscored his belief that staying open to new trends and taking calculated risks are essential for product leaders aiming to remain relevant and competitive.
To round out his talk, Joey shared actionable advice for those navigating their own career paths. For those transitioning sectors, he recommended focusing on building foundational skills in product management and using curiosity to bridge knowledge gaps in new industries. Emphasizing the importance of polish and attention to detail, Joey advised PMs to prioritize user experience, even in fast-paced environments.
For aspiring product managers, Joey’s advice boiled down to three key principles:
As a final takeaway, Joey shared his personal motto: “Have fun, build stuff.” This mantra is a reflection of his approach to both career and life—an encouragement to enjoy the journey, seek out challenges, and take pride in creating impactful products. He emphasized that we spend much of our lives working, so finding joy in the process and constantly pushing ourselves to grow and create is essential.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A, where Joey offered tailored advice on topics ranging from transitioning into product management to working effectively with cross-functional teams. Attendees left with not only Joey’s insights but also a sense of community fostered by TPMA’s commitment to supporting Toronto’s product management professionals.
Want to learn more from industry leaders like Joey Benedict ? Join us at TPMA’s upcoming events!
Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) is a community focused on development, growth and networking of Product professionals in the Greater Toronto Area.
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