This week, Product College hosted Lee Howard, Former Product Chief at Google, for a particular #AskMeAnything session. Lee spoke about touchdown interviews at Google, getting buy-in as a brand new PM, and a number of the expertise wanted within the function.

Meet Lee

Lee Howard, Former Product Leader at Google

Lee Howard is a Product Chief who has launched a variety of high-impact digital merchandise. In her final function at Google, she labored on the Superior Know-how and Tasks group working throughout platform and product to maintain their app Jacquard revolutionary and user-friendly. Earlier than that, she frolicked as a Product Enterprise Lead at Shell engaged on their automobile well being service VehicleIQ. The product was aimed toward empowering drivers to make smarter choices by providing predictive insights about their autos.

How do you take care of peer rivals/opponents within the office?

This subject may take up many hours of dialogue. All joking apart, it is a very attention-grabbing query. There’ll by no means be 100% concord at work. I’ve discovered that Amy Gallo’s recommendation is useful. Right here is considered one of her movies. There will likely be occasions when no quantity of relationship constructing, communication, stakeholder administration, group constructing, and many others. will enhance relationships, however in my expertise, it’s value working onerous on these expertise.

What books would you advocate studying as a way to increase PM expertise?

There are a lot of good books on the market. I’d recommend one thing a bit unconventional and never straight associated to PM, however to relationship constructing – a ebook referred to as, “By no means Eat Alone”.

Try: The 20 Most-Learn Books by Prime Product Managers

What is the greatest approach for PMs outdoors google to land an interview with Google Product groups?

A referral from a good friend or colleague can work. Google recruiters are continually looking out for candidates. Exterior companies are additionally looking out for contract staff. You need to by no means hesitate to use straight too.

woman applying for a job with laptop apple on the table

How do you take care of expertise vs development trade-off?

I’d think twice concerning the manufactured development triggers I’m proposing to design as a way to develop the highest of the funnel and ensure they’re additionally respecting a superb person expertise. You’ll need to experiment with the expertise you’re constructing. You need to spend money on retention, which can drive extra referrals and development on the high of the funnel. It’s essential to experiment with educated approaches.

What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s beginning their profession in Product Administration or transitioning from Engineering?

In case you are transitioning from Engineering to Product Administration, you must take into consideration the opposite points of the PM job. Normally, it’s a mix of engineering, design, and enterprise, so now it’s time so that you can construct up extra data in design and enterprise. My recommendation is to learn so much concerning the function, of the tech enterprise, and I’d advise you to search out your supporters and sponsors at work and see when you can volunteer your time with them performing some PM duties. One other thought is so that you can develop a facet challenge or construct a facet enterprise. You may as well contemplate getting formal coaching. It’s not simple!

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How would you get buy-in as a brand new Product Supervisor in your concepts each product and workflow?

You can not pull a heavy cart over a weak bridge, so the vital factor is to construct some robust bridges earlier than you make large or heavy proposals of your personal. Within the first 30-60 days, you need to go away the impression that you’re a good listener, that you just care very a lot about studying how issues had been determined and constructed prior to now, and displaying understanding and empathy, and respect for the previous. Then when you’ve got a powerful viewpoint of your personal, you possibly can put together your proposal. This video from Harvard Enterprise Overview might be useful – it’s helpful not only for disagreeing, however for making a brand new proposal.

hand writing ideas on transparent board brainstorming

How vital is it to have expertise to use for Product Administration Roles? What are some expertise that may assist if one doesn’t have sufficient expertise?

You will need to have some coaching or expertise to use for PM roles, identical to it will be significant for every other job on the earth. Some expertise that may assist are associated to engineering, enterprise, and product design as a result of that is the mix of expertise which can be most frequently utilized by PMs!

One other nice learn: Product Managers and Technical Expertise…What’s The Deal?

What’s one of the best ways to steer the group away from low-priority subjects through the grooming classes with out seeming dismissive?

I’d warning that too many visible defects or bugs will contribute to a poor person expertise. It may turn out to be loss of life by a thousand paper cuts! Nevertheless, it’s completely the PM and Engineering Lead’s jobs to maintain the group centered on high-impact priorities. In case you wrestle to steer your group, proceed to work in your communication expertise. One very simple trick that I exploit is to make use of the phrase “as a result of” so as to add element to and justification to what I’m emphasizing. It has been proven that utilizing the phrase “as a result of” encourages compliance in individuals.