Hey Product people,

Ever wondered how to balance big-picture thinking with the day-to-day demands of product management? That's exactly what we explored in the latest episode of the Product Thinking Podcast with Dheerja Kaur, VP of Product at Robinhood.

Dheerja brings her unique insights on fostering a culture where design and user experience are integral to product development.

"Everything you do should have a 30 to 50% chance of failure."

This approach challenges us to embrace risk as a growth tool, encouraging teams to push beyond their comfort zones for greater innovation.

We discussed the importance of aligning ambitious goals with a culture of learning and experimentation. Dheerja's experience highlights the significance of integrating design with product strategy, ensuring that every aspect of the user journey is thoughtfully crafted for maximum impact.

Want to learn more about creating a product culture that inspires big thinking while staying true to your company's vision? Listen to the episode for a deep dive into how Robinhood is redefining product management.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Apple | Spotify

Looking forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Melissa Perri

Founder Product Institute, Board Member, and Teacher

Key Moments on the Podcast to Check Out:

07:34 - Defining the Product Manager Role

Dheerja reflects on her transition from software engineering to product management at ESPN and how she navigated the shift from a technical role to a strategic one.

13:01 - Coaching without Micromanaging

Dheerja shares strategies on finding the balance between providing guidance to new PMs and allowing them the autonomy to grow, fostering a supportive learning environment.

28:09 - Balancing Experimentation with Ambitious Goals

Dheerja discusses how to encourage teams to think big and have a portfolio of bets to achieve ambitious objectives while maintaining a culture of learning and experimentation.

Episode resources:

Other Resources:

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST

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