Each week we peel back the layers of product management theory and dive into the nuts and bolts of making real decisions in high-stakes tech environments. Join us, Marilyn McDonald and Leah Farmer, as we share insights from our 20+ years at the forefront of Big Tech, Payments, Scaleups, and Startups.
In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn are joined by Rob Monroe, to explore the real-world complexity of product management in high-stakes environments like GovTech. Rob shares how he has built outcome-driven product practices across defense, finance, and internal systems by shifting the focus from flashy features to mission-critical impact. Together, they discuss the tension between output and outcome, how to lead transformation without ego, and what it means to help users and teams unlearn old patterns in order to adopt better ways of working. With deep insights into leadership, systems thinking, and practical experimentation, Rob challenges product managers to focus on what really matters. These include behavioral change, continuous delivery, and aligning product work with the actual mission, whether you're building a military system or an internal analytics tool. Key Takeaways: 1. Start with the first experiment by shipping something safely to production. In any organization, establishing a working path to production, even for a low-risk "Hello World" app, is essential for building trust and laying the foundation for continuous delivery. 2. Behavior change is the real outcome. Features alone do not equal success. True impact comes from changing user behavior, team habits, or decision-making processes in ways that align with strategic goals. 3. Context matters more than frameworks. There is no one-size-fits-all playbook. Effective product managers adapt their language, tools, and measurement to fit the risk profile, industry, and cultural environment they are working within. Check out the resource guide on practicalpmpodcast.com for a list of all the books Rob mentions.
In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn sit down with accessibility pioneer Mike Paciello to discuss how accessibility is evolving beyond compliance—and why product managers need to think bigger. For too long, accessibility has been treated as a checkbox, driven by legal requirements rather than user needs. But with the rise of AI, automation, and personalization, the possibilities are expanding. Mike shares how AI agents could reshape assistive technology, why accessibility should be woven into product strategy rather than treated as a last-minute fix, and how the best user experiences adapt to individuals instead of forcing users to conform. Throughout the conversation, Leah and Marilyn explore practical steps that product managers can take to make accessibility a competitive advantage rather than just a legal obligation. Key Takeaways: 1. Accessibility is a Personalization Challenge, Not a Compliance Burden. The best products don’t just check the boxes—they adapt to the user. AI and automation are making it possible to create truly personalized digital experiences that work for all users, not just those who fit traditional design molds. 2. AI Agents Could Revolutionize Assistive Technology. We’re on the brink of a shift where AI-powered interfaces will interpret needs in real-time, eliminating the need for users to adapt to rigid digital experiences. Instead, products will adjust themselves to the user’s abilities and preferences. 3. Product Managers Need to Own Accessibility as Part of Strategy. The industry has been stuck in a compliance-first mindset, but serving a broader audience is a business advantage, not just a legal requirement. PMs who invest in accessibility will unlock new markets and opportunities instead of just avoiding lawsuits. Leave us comments here or go to our website Ask Us Page for comments, questions or show suggestions. practicalpmpodcast.com
🔍 Episode Summary: In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn dive deep into a critical, often overlooked factor in career success: choosing the right boss. Beyond titles, funding rounds, and company prestige, your next leader—and their leader—can shape your growth, learning opportunities, and job satisfaction. They discuss how to evaluate potential managers during interviews, the importance of values and leadership styles, and why fostering a human connection matters more than you think. Whether you're searching for your next role or stepping into leadership yourself, this episode offers practical insights that go beyond the job description. 🚀 3 Key Takeaways: Your Boss Shapes Your Success: The two most important people in your career are your boss and your boss’s boss. They determine not just what you’ll learn, but how much space you’ll have to grow. Look for Leaders Who Elevate, Not Compete: A great boss shares their knowledge without ego, champions your success, and fosters a learning mindset, regardless of hierarchy or seniority. Ask the Right Questions During Interviews: Dig into how potential managers handle disagreement, their leadership style, and their values. Questions like “What does it look like when we disagree?” can reveal how open they are to collaboration and feedback. 💡 2 Questions for PMs to Reflect On: When interviewing for your next role, how will you evaluate whether a manager aligns with your learning and leadership style? How does your current boss support your growth as a product manager—and what could be better? Reach out to us at PracticalPMPodcast.com with your comments or show ideas.
In this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald sit down with Peter Collingridge, a seasoned product leader, to explore the evolving world of fractional product management. Together, they unpack the nuances of fractional roles—how they differ from traditional full-time positions, the balance of ownership and consulting, and the importance of time management. Peter shares insights from his own fractional CPO experience, discussing the need for clear boundaries, deep focus, and rapid impact in fractional work. The conversation delves into leadership dynamics, the power of data-driven decision-making, and the critical role of diagnosing organizational issues. The trio also highlights the often-overlooked emotional layer of product management—how navigating human dynamics, trust-building, and team alignment can be just as crucial as solving functional challenges. Throughout the episode, they offer practical advice for Product Managers looking to embrace uncertainty, set boundaries, and optimize their impact—whether in a fractional role or a full-time position. Key Takeaways: 1. Fractional product roles require laser focus – Unlike traditional full-time roles, fractional product leaders must prioritize impact over politics, making every hour count. 2. Ownership sets fractional work apart from consulting – Fractional PMs aren’t just offering advice; they take accountability for outcomes, often with founder-level intensity. 3. People problems are often bigger than product problems – Diagnosing organizational challenges requires understanding both functional inefficiencies and emotional dynamics. 4. Data, not opinions, should drive decisions – A strong research foundation helps align leadership, reduce bias, and focus teams on what truly matters for customers.
In this kickoff episode of season two of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn dive into New Year’s resolutions and their parallels to product management practices. They tackle the common resolutions people set—like losing weight, spending more time with family, and getting out of debt—and reframe them for PMs as trimming backlogs, improving customer and stakeholder relationships, and managing tech debt. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentionality in meetings, strategic time management, and learning new skills to grow personally and professionally. Leah and Marilyn reflect on flexibility, experimentation, and the value of creating leaner processes in both life and product management. Key Takeaways Trimming the Fat: Clean up your backlog by removing unnecessary items and outdated features, and keep MVPs truly minimal. Building Relationships: Spend more time with the “family” of your work—customers, stakeholders, and engineering—by breaking down barriers and improving collaboration. Managing Debt: Address tech and relationship debt by honoring commitments, mending connections, and being strategic with budgeting. Intentionality Matters: Reevaluate meeting cadences and communication habits to improve efficiency and focus on high-value activities.