1:42 - Meet Jeff and his big question for product managers: "How can we ensure we have the right understanding from our leaders?"
4:30 - Ryan emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes over outputs to clarify product manager responsibilities.
7:35 - Todd jokes about where their "outputs over outcomes" tattoo should go.
9:20 - Ryan urges product managers to seek clarity when they don’t understand the "why" behind a request.
10:30 - Todd shares a story from his LA Times days on asking for clarification from his boss.
15:12 - The group discusses how product managers can overcomplicate unclear requests.
16:00 - Joe suggests playing the "New Guy" card when in doubt.
19:00 - The team highlights that asking questions is a strength for a product manager, not a weakness.
23:35 - Ryan poses the question: Is there ever a time when product managers shouldn't ask for clarification?
24:28 - Joe shares a story about when he had to "bite his tongue" as a product manager.
26:30 - Todd adds that timing is everything; knowing when to ask is part of the product manager job.
30:00 - Joe discusses the role evolution from order-taker to partner for a product manager.
33:26 - Todd revisits Jeff’s story to highlight the importance of avoiding wasted time and resources on misaligned products.
34:30 - Joe shares a product manager tip: develop internal personas to better manage stakeholders and understand their goals.
35:20 - A lightning round on common requests that product managers initially misunderstood.
36:40 - The infamous "JIRA-slinging ticket monkey" term makes an appearance. Shoutout to Dean Peters!
38:46 - Key takeaways (and some friendly teasing of Joe for his wording choices).
Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.
Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.