Fireside Product Management

I rarely read career books cover to cover. But when I listened to Search in Plain Sight by Somer Hackley, I was hooked. It wasn't a blog post padded into a book—this was the real deal. Structured, thorough, and full of insights that I wish I had twenty years ago. Naturally, I invited Somer onto the Fireside PM podcast to dig deeper. What followed was a masterclass on how executive search firms actually work, what most job seekers get wrong, and how product managers (PMs) can be far more effective in today's hiring market.

What Lego, Apple, and a golf startup can teach Silicon Valley PMs about designing with—not just for—your users. https://jakemckee.com/

How to Avoid Career Pitfalls and Make Smarter Moves in Today's Job Market Early to mid-career product managers in Silicon Valley often dream of landing the perfect job—high comp, strong team, great product, and a clear path for impact. But what if I told you that sometimes the smartest move is walking away? That was the case for Elizabeth Haig, a seasoned marketing leader with two successful exits under her belt. She recently turned down a VP of Marketing role that came with a $350K offer, and her reasoning provides invaluable lessons for navigating today's brutal job market. This post is packed with her insights, specific examples, and actionable advice to help you avoid career missteps and make smarter choices as you navigate your next big move.

Lessons from the Fireside PM podcast on how to stop missing top-tier candidates and make your next VP or Director of Product hire a game-changer.  Hiring a Great Product Leader Is Harder Than You Think Team, we're back on the Fireside PM podcast, and today, I want to talk about a topic that keeps coming up: why even experienced executives struggle to hire strong product leaders. If you're a CEO or CPO at a mid-to-late-stage company and you need to hire a killer Director or VP of Product, this post is for you. You go through the hiring process, extend an offer to someone who looks amazing on paper—only to realize months later that it's not working out. Sound familiar? The good news? Most hiring failures happen because of a handful of predictable mistakes. Let's break them down, one by one, so you can avoid them next time.

Why revealing your thinking matters more than your final answer—insider secrets from Rodolfo, Senior PM at Spotify. https://rodolfodays.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile

n this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with fellow ex-Googler and product consultant Mustafa Kapatiya to dive into how product managers can maximize AI for productivity, decision-making, and strategy. Mustafa shares real-world insights, including a live demo of AI-driven sentiment analysis, a breakdown of how top PMs leverage AI differently, and how organizations can use AI to do more with less. We also explore the future of product teams, AI's impact on PM career paths, and the evolving role of leadership in an AI-powered world. Tune in for actionable tips and deep insights!

Join me for a Fireside PM conversation with Dave Lu, founder of Hyphen Ventures, as we dive into his incredible career journey, the challenges of the Bamboo Ceiling, and his powerful advocacy for AAPI representation in tech and venture capital. From working at top companies like Apple, Yahoo, and eBay to launching Hyphen Capital and championing AAPI entrepreneurs, Dave has been a driving force in breaking barriers. We'll discuss: ✅ His path from corporate tech to investing in the next generation ✅ The Bamboo Ceiling: What it is & how to overcome it ✅ Building wealth and influence for the AAPI community ✅ His thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and making an impact

Hey Fireside PM crew, I had a fantastic conversation in this week's podcast with Priydarshan Jha (PJ), a seasoned Director of Product Management and product transformation consultant. PJ shared valuable insights from his journey, starting as a tech-focused developer, moving into product ownership at American Express, working with clients across industries at BCG, and now leading product transformations at EPAM. Here are the top takeaways: 1. Driving Product Transformation Across Diverse Organizations PJ highlighted that every company has its unique DNA—some are engineering-led, some sales-led, others founder-driven. When companies seek to strengthen their product orientation, the challenge is often not just “what to do” but understanding “what change means for them.” Key steps PJ advises: Assess the Current State: Understand how the organization defines product success, builds products, and aligns teams. Establish a Common Product Vision: Everyone, from developers to sales, should share a unified understanding of the product and its purpose. Break Down Silos: Connect teams to the end customer so that even an engineer sees how their work impacts users. Small, Incremental Changes: Large overhauls often fail. Success comes from bite-sized adjustments that shift both ways of working and thinking. As PJ put it, “Most organizations recognize that what got them here won't get them where they want to go. The challenge is that they often don't know what that change actually looks like for them. We help them visualize what 'good' looks like and break it down into small, achievable steps.” He added, “One of the most common issues I see is silos. The engineering team might be working on their own objectives, while the product managers and sales teams are operating in parallel worlds. Bringing everyone onto the same page around the customer impact can be a game-changer.” 2. Common Pitfalls for Product Managers PJ and I discussed two classic challenges PMs often face: Over-indexing on Execution: PMs get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of long-term strategy. Under-communicating Progress: Even if you're on the right track strategically, failing to proactively communicate with stakeholders can create uncertainty and risk. Successful PMs find a balance: They drive day-to-day delivery while ensuring leadership and stakeholders remain aligned with the strategic vision. “It's so easy to get trapped in the day-to-day. You're shipping features, hitting your sprints, but if you lose sight of the bigger picture, you may end up delivering a lot but not necessarily moving the business forward,” PJ noted. On communication, he shared, “Under-communication can kill trust. I've seen great teams end up under a microscope simply because stakeholders felt out of the loop. It's not about overloading with updates; it's about consistent, clear communication.” 3. Building Product Teams in the AI Era With 2025 upon us, PJ reflected on debates around the necessity of PMs in a world increasingly assisted by AI. Could engineering managers with chatbots fill the gap? PJ's take: The PM role can flex, but the core need remains: balancing value, viability, usability, and feasibility. Engineering or marketing leaders can step into product roles if they develop the right mindset, but that transition requires coaching and organizational patience. “There's a lot of talk about replacing PMs with AI or blending the role into other functions, but product management is fundamentally about balancing multiple perspectives,” PJ explained. “It's not just about what can be built, but whether it should be built, if users will value it, and whether it makes business sense.” He added, “I've seen companies successfully transition engineers or marketers into product roles. The key is investing in their mindset shift and giving them the right support through coaching.” 4. Advice for Aspiring PMs and Leaders Hiring PM Talent Aspiring PMs: You don't need a technical background. Passion, curiosity, and a desire to solve problems matter more. Hiring Product Leaders: When leading a product transformation, prioritize candidates with experience driving organizational change—especially those with consulting backgrounds—or consider fractional product leaders during transitions. “There's this myth that you need to have a technical background to be a product manager. It can help, but it's not a requirement. Some of the best PMs I know came from non-technical backgrounds and excelled because of their customer empathy and strategic thinking,” PJ emphasized. On hiring, he advised, “If you're transforming your product culture, look for someone who's done it before. They'll bring the experience and playbook to navigate the rough waters. Sometimes, a fractional leader during the transition can be the perfect bridge.” Final Thought PJ reminded us that transformation is a journey. Whether you're a PM looking to grow, or a leader reshaping your product team, success lies in aligning teams around customer impact, fostering clear communication, and embracing continuous learning. “Change is hard, but it's worth it. The best product teams I've seen are those that continuously learn and adapt. They put the customer at the center and rally the entire organization around delivering value,” PJ concluded. Check out PJ's daily insights on LinkedIn and his Substack newsletter for more product wisdom (links below). https://www.linkedin.com/in/priydarshanjha/ https://priydarshanjha.substack.com/  

In this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with Chris Vandermay, a veteran PM leader with experience at Google, Amazon, and Meta, to dive deep into the concept of controllable inputs. We discuss how top companies use these actionable metrics to drive real business outcomes, how to identify the right inputs versus vanity metrics, and why mastering them can make or break a product's success. Chris also shares insights on how AI is reshaping the role of product managers and what PMs can do to stay ahead in the evolving landscape. Tune in for a conversation packed with real-world examples and practical takeaways for PMs at any stage of their career!

In this episode of Fireside PM, I tackle one of the most pressing questions from my Backchannel PM Accelerator: What does the future of product management look like, and how can PMs prepare? We explore the compression of career ladders, the rise of AI-native products, the evolving importance of trust and safety, and the shifting dynamics of startups. Whether you're an early-career PM or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

In this episode of the Fireside PM podcast, I sit down with Karl Isaac, a branding expert and former Microsoft manager, to explore the intersection of product and brand. Karl shares insights from his transformative career at tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe, where he spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns, redefined brand strategies, and led cultural shifts. They discuss the evolution of branding in tech, lessons from campaigns like “I'm a PC,” and how integrating brand with product management creates exceptional customer experiences. A must-listen for product managers and brand enthusiasts alike! https://www.linkedin.com/in/brands/

In a recent Fireside PM podcast episode, I shared insights inspired by a coaching conversation with a senior PM at a FAANG company. * She was navigating a significant challenge: adapting to a new manager with a starkly different style than her previous one. This conversation resonated with me deeply because it highlighted a universal truth in the workplace: a manager's style can significantly impact your day-to-day experience—sometimes even more than the company you work for.

The 8 different types of PM leads, their pros and cons, and best fit companies to work at.

In my recent Fireside PM podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Brian Goffman, a repeat guest and one of the most insightful voices in the product management (PM) space. Brian's career spans decades of innovation, from his time at LinkedIn, SmartThings, and Adobe, to his current role leading McKinsey's Software Excellence Practice. His unique vantage point—working across Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and now AI—makes him a treasure trove of lessons for anyone navigating the tech landscape. In this conversation, we dove into career-defining moments, the evolving challenges of leadership, and how AI is fundamentally reshaping the PM profession. Brian shared profound insights and practical advice for professionals at every stage of their journey, sprinkled with the wit and wisdom that only years of experience can bring.

Welcome back to another episode of Fireside PM! Today, I want to share some hard-earned lessons that have shaped my career as a Product Manager (PM) and PM leader. These lessons, grounded in experience, have been instrumental to my journey and are relevant whether you're early in your PM career or already leading teams. Let's dive into these five lessons that, while challenging, are essential for sustained growth and success in product management.

Unlock the secrets of demand generation from Rory Braatvedt, who shares essential frameworks for entrepreneurial product managers and startup founders ready to move beyond their personal networks.

Lessons from the Frontlines of Silicon Valley: How to Recognize Common Pitfalls and Stay Focused on What Really Matters

John Gusiff on brand experience.

Adam Sheppard from The Shep Report on AI solopreneur tools like bubble.io

Raquel Hirsch is a seasoned marketing executive and demand-generation expert who helps B2B and B2C clients achieve measurable revenue growth through data-driven strategies and solutions. She is the Founder and Lead Consultant at GoDemandGeneration Inc., a boutique consultancy that offers outsourced VP-level expertise and growth-acceleration services to clients who need to get there fast. With over 25 years of experience in turnarounds and fast ramp-ups, Raquel has a proven track record of building successful cross-functional teams, bridging the divide between marketing and sales, and delivering maximized ROI on marketing investments. She is also a popular public speaker, a mentor, a multilingual professional, and a socially conscious leader who is passionate about enabling consistent growth and debunking marketing fads.

Nancy Chu and I talk about PM interviews. Follow Nancy on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancychu/ Check out my PM classes on Maven https://maven.com/toml Check out my free lightening webinar on AI strategy https://maven.com/p/ceba54/ai-crossroads-strategic-decisions-for-product-managers?utm_medium=ll_share_link&utm_source=instructor

More info on this class at https://maven.com/toml 1:1 and Team Coaching at https://tomleungcoaching.com

  From Aniket Saoji: "After spending some time exploring the latest AI advancements, I realized the potential impact on the enterprise software landscape deserved a more nuanced analysis. Here is a deep dive on why established enterprise SaaS leaders can afford to take a measured approach to AI integration. My take: While AI is transforming the technology landscape, AI is not an immediate existential threat to enterprise SaaS market leaders. In fact, they are well-positioned to approach AI integration strategically." 

Katie Durham from Climate Capital and I talk about a co-investment and some she shares tips and advice about getting involved in climate tech.

In my recent Fireside PM podcast interview with Rahul Mehendale, an old friend and former classmate, we delved deep into the transformative impact of AI across various sectors. Rahul's diverse background—ranging from his early work in quantified skin health to his recent ventures in AI—gave us a lot to discuss.

5 things you can do to make sure you make a great hire for your PM director role. Learn more at tomleungcoaching.com

Tom and Ed Biden from HustleBadger.com talk about the challenges product leaders face when things aren't going awesome.

I looked at over 100 AI products and broke them down into four categories. Table is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/firesidepm/p/where-will-the-most-economic-value?r=3qhs2b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

I go over the four kinds of AI projects I've noticed this year, their pros and cons, and give some thought starters as we think about where things will land in 2026.

Matt Schlegel from EvolutionaryTeams.com talks about Enneagrams and his book Teamwork 9.0 https: https://a.co/d/fw0fEkr

Tom and Hannah Clark from the Product Manager talk about IC and leadership tension when projects change or get killed.  https://theproductmanager.com/

Joyce Tang was at early Google and joined Facebook when it was less than 1,000 employees and still a private company. Then she went to culinary school and started the bakery, Bake Sum. Order in the Bay Area via Neon: https://www.exploreneon.com/store/restaurant/595/?utm_source=bakesum&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=fbb

Paul Muret was co-founder and CEO of Urchin which was acquired by Google and became Google Analytics. He then stayed at the company for 19 years rising to the level of VP most recently leading product management for the Research division under Jeff Dean.

Craig Sherman, startup attorney at Wilson Sonsini, gives a market update on why it's a great time to be a seed founder and less so to be at a 2022 Series A or B fixer upper.

Kirby's original post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/winfield_preseed-investing-is-easy-a-dont-activity-7186077270862659584-J1J4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Nicholas Cryder, longtime branding expert, shares his take on how small teams can build a brand identity in weeks. https://www.crydermakes.com/aboutcryder

Dan Delmar from the Virtual Angels Network discusses how to become an angel investor. 

Tom and Kirk Mattson (both Bowdoin '96 alums) discuss Kirk's view on what makes a great PM and the future of AI.

Tom and Elizabeth Creighton talk about user research interviewing mistakes and best practices. Check out Elizabeth's upcoming class on Maven with a special Fireside discount here https://maven.com/brazen-ux/user-interview-skills-designers-pms?promoCode=FIRESIDE

Amit Badlani from Stanford talks about ML, AI, and product management. See his class here  https://maven.com/amit-badlani/ml-foundations-for-product-managers See all of Tom's classes at http://maven.com/toml

Roman Pichler and Tom talk about business strategy, portfolio strategy, product strategy, and how it relates to the roadmap and backlog.

Tom and Joe Tarragano discuss the risk of puritanical thinking of PM's and the topic of Produxsplaining :-)

Thanks to Teresa Torres from Product Talk for coming on to the Fireside PM pod to talk about #productdiscovery! We had a great convo and I found the notion of show not telling and the importance of making lots of little improvements versus arguing for wholesale transformation to be pretty compelling.  https://www.producttalk.org/  

Former Apple, Google, and Y Combinator entrepreneur Hardik Vala https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehardikv/

Tom and Alan talk about the current job market, how to get a good referral, and the importance of baby steps when managing your career.

I posted a job and got 300 applications in the first day...

Tom and Jesse Chor, Founder CEO of Sequoia backed Tanda, talk about best practices for aspiring product managers to land their first PM gig. 

I walk through an example of evaluating a greenfield product idea from scratch.  Also if you're interested in my class on nailing your next executive PM review at work, feel free to express interest here https://maven.com/forms/d4610a