There are two kinds of product decisions. Ones that are correct and ones that get adopted. The best teams know those aren’t the same thing and plan for both. The Correct Decision answers: does this solve a real problem? Is the UX sound? Does it ship on time? The Adopted Decision answers: does this fit inside how users already think and move? Is the behavior change we’re asking for smaller than the value we’re delivering? Would someone who’s half-paying attention still get it? Most product processes are very good at the first one. Almost none of them formally account for the second. A quick check I run before anything ships: 1. What does the user do today, step by step? 2. Which of those steps does the new thing replace? 3. How many new decisions does it introduce that didn’t exist before? 4. Is the value obvious before the user has learned the new behavior, or only after? If the answer to #4 is “only after,” you have a retention problem waiting to happen, not an adoption problem.

Check it out: https://www.stefthepm.com/p/10-pm-mistakes-that-will-cost-you-your-first-year-and-how-to-skip-them

Most follow-up emails after a coffee chat read like a cover letter. Formal. Over-explained. Almost apologetic. Here’s one I helped a friend rewrite this week. She’d had a coffee chat with someone at a company she really wanted to get into and wanted to follow up asking for a referral and an intro to the hiring manager. This was her first draft: “After reflecting on our conversation, I’m especially interested in this role, since it seems to align well with my background. If you’re still open to it, I’d really appreciate an introduction to the hiring manager.” It’s not bad. But it’s hedging everywhere. “Seems to align.” “If you’re still open to it.” “I’d really appreciate.” She’s describing herself like she’s not sure she’s qualified. Here’s what we rewrote it to: “This role feels like the most natural fit for where I’m at right now. If you’re open to it, I’d love an intro to the hiring manager.” Same information. Half the words. Twice the confidence. If you’ve had a coffee chat recently and haven’t followed up yet, what’s stopping you? *slightly anonymized

What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you in your first 90 days as a PM? Not “learn the business” or “talk to customers” something specific. I’m collecting the best answers for an upcoming newsletter piece. So if yours gets featured, I’ll tag you. 👀