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Writer's pictureLeah Farmer

S1:E10 - Curious Minds: How to Hire Great Product Managers

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of hiring exceptional product managers. We discuss the core competencies necessary for the role, such as having a customer-centric mindset, thriving in ambiguity, and possessing a strong drive to get things done. The conversation also covers the challenges of transitioning individuals from other roles into product management and the importance of instilling a product management mindset. The episode wraps up with practical advice on crafting effective interview questions and the value of concise, thoughtful answers.



Key Takeaways 

  • Core Competencies: Product managers need a customer-centric mindset, the ability to work in ambiguity, and a strong drive to get things done.

  • Transitioning Roles: Successfully transitioning individuals into product management requires teaching the product management mindset and being patient with the learning process.

  • Interview Focus: Effective interview questions should assess a candidate's understanding of the role, their problem-solving skills, and their impact on customer experience.

  • Concise Answers: Demonstrating suitability for the role through concise and thoughtful answers is crucial during interviews.

  • Broad Skill Set: Product managers should be adaptable and possess a broad range of skills to succeed in various product management roles.

Questions for Product Managers


  1. How do you ensure a customer-centric approach in your product management practices?

  2. Can you describe a time when you had to navigate ambiguity and bring clarity to a project?

  3. What strategies do you use to stay curious and continuously ask the right questions?

  4. How do you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment?

  5. Can you provide an example of a challenging problem you solved and how it impacted the customer experience?


As always, leave us questions or comments here or make topic suggestions by going to "Ask Us".

1 Comment


John B
John B
Aug 07

I LOVE seeing you both on these videos. Miss you both! Keep it going =)

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