Building diverse products: A conversation with Annie Jean-Baptiste, product leader at Google

What is your background and how did you get into product?

I’ve been at Google for 13 years, starting on the business side and then going into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). When I was in the internal DEI space, I started to think about what inclusion would look like as it relates to product design. We are building for the world, so we must ensure that we have that array of diverse perspectives reflected in anything we create. I worked to build out Google’s product inclusion and equity practice, before transferring over to the product side.

My role is to make sure our products are not only inclusive of everyone, but also to make sure that everyone can see themselves in our products.

What are your biggest learnings and challenges from leading products at Google?

Since working in this area, I’ve had two key learnings. The first is that it’s easier to bring in inclusion and equity at the outset rather than wait until a product has launched. For example, when we created Real-Tone, a feature on Pixel phones that ensures the camera better reflects the nuances of skin tones, we worked with communities of color and individuals who have darker skin tones to test the feature and ensure that it worked well before launching it.  

Secondly, I’ve done research and found that it’s not just historically marginalized users who care about inclusive products and storytelling, it’s the majority of users. This means that it’s important for all teams and organizations to build equitable and inclusive products, because it ensures that their entire user base will benefit.

What does the future hold for product leadership roles?

I believe that product leadership roles will continue to expand, and successful product leaders will ensure that they bring in voices that are not like themselves. I also believe that product leaders will not only have to think about the product they create, but the experiences and context in which the product is used. When done right, technology can amplify people’s lives and allow them to thrive in the way they choose. It’s not about the latest megapixels or other specifications, it’s about the why behind what you’re creating. I believe that it is important to identify that in a way that is agnostic of vertical or industry, so it’s not just a tech thing.

How do you like to start and unwind from your working day?

I’m big on routines, so I like to start my day with meditation, naming three things I’m grateful for and then reading at least 10 pages of a book. It doesn’t seem like much, but last year, I read 30 books! Then I get one of my sons ready for school and walk the dog. I like starting my day off with a mixture of quiet and family, as it grounds me.

To unwind from work, I enjoy hanging out with family, hanging out with friends, traveling, eating, dancing and watching way too much reality TV.

What are your top three tips for leading the diverse product initiative?

• Check your ego: no one knows everything, and that’s okay. Bring in other voices that haven’t necessarily always been prioritized in product design.
• Don’t ask people for feedback on a solution, bring them in at the outset. Think about co-creation and collaboration.
• Building for those historically at the margins helps everyone. The curb-cut effect is real!

From your experience, how far have we come so far in terms of diversity in tech, and what can we do to improve it?

It’s a journey, and there’s a lot more work to do. I’m excited about the work that we have done over the past few years in embedding product, inclusion, and equity across the company.

There’s a business case as well with the human case for diversity in tech. It is important to ensure that people understand how much opportunity there is, not only for historically marginalized groups, but that people are yearning to feel seen, and they want to see the beautiful diversity of the world reflected in product services and experiences. Gen Z, for example, wants to align with brands where they can see their values.

Additional studies by Merkle also reveal that 76% of millennials and 83% of Gen Zers feel that brands should take a stance on social issues, compared to 59% of consumers who are 41 years old or older. It’s important to note that you can do well and do good at the same time.