S2E13: Better Together - How Mutual Respect, Curiosity, and Shared Goals Create the Best Product & Engineering Collaborations

In this episode, we sat down with the brilliant Alesha Cronie. We talk about the real magic that happens when product, engineering, and design teams trust each other and work as a unit—without stepping on each other’s toes or hiding behind titles. Alesha shares her superpower of aligning cross-functional teams, building psychological safety, and what it really takes to navigate egos and ambiguity.

We also dive into what happens when PMs write code (spoiler: don’t), how to deal with stakeholders who think they’re Thor, and why iteration is about business value—not just breaking work into smaller boxes.

You’re going to love this one. And yes, Alesha will be back

Key Takeaways

1. Trust is built through context and transparency.Frame your questions, share your intent, and give people space to bring their expertise to the table.

2. Iteration isn’t just “breaking things into smaller pieces.”It’s about delivering real value sooner—and requires collaboration between product and engineering on how to slice the work.

3. Stay in your lane—but know when to blur the lines.PMs shouldn’t be committing code, and engineers shouldn’t be solving business problems in isolation. Collaboration thrives when everyone plays their part—while staying connected to the whole.
   

Questions for Product Managers to Reflect On

1. When was the last time you truly listened to your engineering partners—and let their input shape the product direction?

2. Are you bringing clear vision to your team, or are you writing stories for something you don’t fully understand?

3. How do you personally react when someone questions your opinion? Do you frame curiosity as a threat or a path to clarity?