Ben Fohner, Product Manager for Next Billion Users @ Google

Ben believes that a PM’s job is “not to set product strategy. It’s not to set the goals.” It’s not to tell people what to do. It’s not to be the boss.

Alex Stein, Product Manager @ Facebook

Some engineers have told Alex that they’re meant to be coding all the time. They’ve said they’re “wasting their time if not building.”

Alex disagrees. He thinks that full product team — with PMs, designers, and engineers — will benefit…

The currency of Product Managers?

“Credibility is currency.

You have to build it, save it, and spend it when necessary.

Build credibility with engineers by getting into the weeds of technical problems.

This sport will make you a better Product Manager

Google PM Hodie Meyers, PhD said, “If you want to be a good PM, play pickup soccer.”

“You start by just showing up. The game is already going. Everyone else (the engineers and designers) seems to know each other.” You…

Matt Jayson, Product Manager @ Google

What is a PM? How can a PM better help their team? Each week, I’ll interview a PM from a Silicon Valley company. I hope to unearth and share their philosophies, their stories, and their tips to help the rest of us build stronger teams and better products.

Put your hand down

Uber PM Jill Schwetizer used to do too much.

She thought she had to prove herself.

She raised her hand to do everything. She should have taken 10% of the team’s work.