How do you grow from a PMM to senior PMM at a hypergrowth startup where you don't have time to “ramp up” your skills?

My best advice is just dive right in! Learning happens best on the job, even if it feels uncomfortable at times (trust me, I've been there). Stay focused on the objective/project at hand, but make sure to carve out time for feedback and coaching from your manager, especially if you're taking on new challenges/initiatives. And don't forget your team—they're there to support you. Stay curious, be agile, and never hesitate to ask questions. You've got this!

I was the second PMM at Dropbox, and when I left 4.5 years later, I managed a team of more than 20 PMMs, so I can empathize with your situation. I found that self-reflection is extremely important. You need to constantly evaluate the performance of different projects or initiatives so you can know where to double down on what worked and understand where iteration is needed. Also, you need to observe what other top performers are doing and replicate their approach. You don’t have time to “recreate the wheel” when growth is fast. These top performers have likely optimized their approach for the startup's culture and learned what works best inside the organization, so copy them. Finally, you should not be afraid to ask for feedback. You won’t know where to focus your skill development unless you ask. Most managers will appreciate that you are proactive about your performance, and they will know the best places to focus on skill development.