89: Empowering Good Decision-Making

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Soumeya Benghanem welcome Michele Lundahl (T-Mobile) as they discuss how to empower good decision-making. Product managers play a crucial role in empowering good decision making within their teams. By fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication, they enable team members to contribute their diverse perspectives and insights. Empowering decision making encourages ownership and accountability, leading to better outcomes and innovation. By providing the necessary guidance and resources, product managers ensure that their teams have the autonomy and support needed to make informed decisions that align with the overall product vision and goals.

Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.

What to Listen For:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:17 Why should we empower good decision-making?
• 04:26 Inclusivity in decision-making
• 07:12 Pushbacks on decision
• 09:19 Three opportunity rule
• 10:56 Framework to better understand different types of decisions
• 13:47 Coaching teams to feel empowered about their role
• 15:36 Handling unavoided impacts
• 17:33 Training ourselves to be willing to empower others
• 19:08 Strategic and execution decision
• 22:37 Leaders in decision-making
• 25:43 Should leaders get into the weeds?
• 27:51 How can leaders share knowledge in a way that empowers good decision-making?
• 30:00 What is a good decision?
• 31:31 When someone is not in favor of your decision
• 33:34 Decision processes within product organizations
• 36:03 How do you help your team to not overthink a decision?
• 39:05 When a bad decision is made by your team
• 45:20 Final thoughts