Agentic AI, the Power of a SWAG, and Leadership Lessons from a Must-Read Book
What’s the deal with Agentic AI?
What: AI capabilities are rapidly evolving. Leading tech companies are moving beyond traditional Large Language Models (LLMs) to develop Agentic AI. Unlike LLMs, which excel at processing and generating information, Agentic AI systems integrate autonomous functions like contextual understanding, goal-oriented planning, adaptive learning, and tool integration. In essence, this transforms LLMs from passive information providers to active problem solvers.
Use Cases: From a product management perspective, LLMs, while powerful, are limited by their reactive nature. Agentic AI unlocks their true potential by enabling them to autonomously execute tasks, manage complex projects, and adapt to dynamic environments. This shift takes us from a "think and respond" model (great writers or image generators) to one of "goal setting and execution" (great task accomplishers).
So, What: This evolution represents a fundamental shift in how we approach productivity and value creation. With AI handling routine tasks—like data analysis and document generation—us professionals can focus on high-value activities such as strategic planning, decision-making, and human-centered insights. Basically, become much better at the “soft stuff”.
Enterprise companies are already leveraging Agentic AI across careers like sales, BDRs, customer service, and marketing.
So, should you be scared? Not scared, but definitely aware. Especially if you are in a space that could be disrupted (hint: almost all of them eventually).
Let’s take a closer look at how Adobe is building Agentic AI and why it’s exciting:
I'm stoked about the launch of Adobe Experience Platform Agent Orchestrator, which ushers in a new era of AI-powered customer experience orchestration.
This vision is about more than just automation; it’s about strategically empowering teams so AI can become your force multiplier.
TL;DR:
Site Optimization Agent: Web teams can now optimize speed, engagement, traffic, and security at scale.
Content Production Agent: Streamlined, on-brand content creation across the organization.
Audience Agent: Audience managers can now support more campaigns with greater efficiency.
Data Insights Agent: Data analysts gain the capacity for deeper reporting and insights.
This is not just about improving customer experience—it's fundamentally reshaping how teams work, enabling them to achieve more with less.
I’m excited to be part of a company leading the charge in responsible, human-empowering AI.
Now, What: Here are a few pieces of advice and my gameplan around AI.
Know What’s Happening: Stay updated on the developments and applications of Agentic AI by leading tech companies. It might be tempting, but do not resist or disregard the rise of agentic. Embracing Agentic AI isn't just about improving efficiency; it's about redefining professional value in an AI-augmented world.
Learn, Learn, Learn: Stay curious and open to change. Read widely and listen to different perspectives to stay ahead. Embrace continuous learning to adapt to the rapid pace of AI evolution. Whether through blogs, YouTube videos, or hands-on experimentation (like with LLMs), it’s vital to keep learning and experimenting.
Become the Puppet Master: Our focus must shift from input-based labor to output-driven strategic contributions. Figure out how you can use Agentic and all forms of AI to multiply your value and become the puppet master for agentic. Figuring out how you use it as a force multiplier is the key to making sure you are not disrupted by this technology change.
Soft Skills Corner:
The importance of a SWAG (Silly Wild A** Guess)
A SWAG might sound silly, but in reality, I’d argue it’s a crucial skill for any product manager. Why? Because boundaries are the conditions in which creativity thrives. Think about Steve Jobs insisting the iPhone be this thin.
A SWAG helps you bring something to the table. It sparks reactions and opens up opportunities for creativity. You’ll often find it drives much more innovation and output than starting with a blank slate.
It also shows initiative. Much like writing, it helps clarify your thinking. It’s not easy to come up with a SWAG, but challenging yourself to sit down and do the deep work reveals a key truth: how we do anything is how we do everything.
Now, SWAGs come in different scales, depending on the audience. Presenting a SWAG to your small tiger team is very different from presenting one to senior leadership. Of course, you’ll want your SWAG for senior leaders to be more refined and well-thought-out.
I actually did this the other day in a meeting. I came in with a SWAG deck for a call with a few senior leaders and asked them where they wanted to focus. They ended up honing in on a smaller point at the end of the agenda, and we used the time to dive into that. The output from that brief discussion was amazing.
Just because the rest of the deck wasn’t used doesn’t mean the SWAG was a failure. In fact, it was a huge success because it showed preparation, and the ultimate output from that short meeting was 10x more valuable than many I’ve had without a SWAG.
So, for your next meeting or brainstorm? Bring a SWAG.
Growth Corner:
Good Read: Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up By Jerry Colonna
I finished this last year, and it's an incredible read. It's more than just a professional or business book—it delves deep and poses a fundamental question that has become a mantra for me: Why do I keep doing the things I say don't serve me?
Good Listen: How to Develop Your Executive Presence HBR on Leadership
It’s an older listen, but one I found invaluable—almost like a playbook on how to become more confident and effective in front of an executive audience. A crucial skill for any PM.