You've just become the head of product at a company with no PM culture. Where do you start?
Model answer
Model answerThe biggest mistake is trying to change everything at once. Start by listening: what are engineers and designers frustrated by? What does leadership think PM means? Then pick two or three high-visibility problems where good product thinking can visibly improve outcomes. Win those. The culture changes when people see the value of the approach — not because you explained it, but because you demonstrated it.
Framework · Culture Change
- LListen first
What do engineers, designers, and leadership each think PM is for? The gaps are your starting point - WWin visibly
Pick 2–3 problems where good PM thinking produces clear, visible improvement - DDocument the process
Make your thinking transparent — show how you got to a decision, not just what it was - HHire slowly
Your first PM hires define the culture more than any process you install
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