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Mar 2025
27m 54s

How PMs Can Improve Working & Communicat...

Path2Product
About this episode

Lessons in Product Management - Working & Communicating with Engineers

Guest: Paul Lunow
Host: John Doe
Episode Duration: ~28 min

[00:00 - 01:37] Introduction

    • Background on Paul’s 20-year career in tech.


    [01:37 - 04:05] Paul’s Background in Product & Engineering

    • Started in Berlin as a web developer, grew an agency to 30 people.
    • Founded Nepos, a startup building a tablet for elderly users.

    • Moved to eBay to experience corporate innovation.

    • Now Head of Innovation & Technology at XU Group, building a B2B learning platform.


    [04:05 - 06:45] The Role of AI in Learning Platforms

    • Discusses AI’s role in education.
    • AI is a tool for augmentation, not a replacement for learning.


    [06:45 - 10:38] How Product Managers Can Work Better with Engineers

    • The importance of psychological safety in teams.

    • Engineers need a space to fail, ask questions, and collaborate.

    • Great product managers create environments of trust.


    [10:38 - 14:46] How Much Tech Knowledge Should a PM Have?

    • PMs don’t need to code but must deeply understand the product.

    • The worst thing: a PM who pretends to know coding but doesn’t use the product.

    • PMs should be the first to log in daily and experience the product firsthand.


    [14:46 - 18:08] Anti-Patterns: What Drives Engineers Crazy

    • Overworked and stressed PMs create pressure and disconnection.

    • Avoid last-minute changes and unclear expectations.

    • Balance deep work vs. reactive work—don’t just respond to messages all day.


    [18:08 - 22:26] Managing Workload as a PM

    • Split work into offense (strategic work) and defense (reactive tasks).

    • Prioritize one key task per day instead of juggling everything at once.

    • Time-box meetings and avoid unnecessary stakeholder discussions.


    [22:26 - 24:59] How PMs Can Earn Engineers’ Trust

    • Be a sparring partner, not just a requirement-pusher.

    • Never throw engineers under the bus—own decisions as a team.

    • A PM should always support and defend shipped features.


    [24:59 - 27:36] Final Thoughts & Paul’s Work


  • [27:36 - 28:00] Closing Remarks

    • Subscribe to Product and Cake & Lessons in Product Management.

    • See you next week!


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