As a principal product manager you will be asked to review the work of other product managers. What are some of the opportunities you will look for within their work?

Remember to consider your own time moving through the ranks of product management within your response. What did your mentors offer that helped you improve your approach and the work you delivered? Reflecting on your own growth and what you learned from others within your area of expertise will help you to answer this question authentically.

"I would look for three main things when mentoring and reviewing the work of other product managers. First, I would look for evidence that they fully understand their customers. I would ensure that they are immersed and invested in developing an optimal customer experience. Typical areas for improvement in that regard include helping them understand how to properly analyze the data available and how to create a product development plan that aligns with the highest possible value stream.

Secondly, I would observe the product managers to look for communication style improvements. It is critical for product managers to have the ability to clearly articulate the vision for their product and translate it into a tactical plan that their teams can follow.

Finally, I would work with them to help them move closer and closer to true end-to-end ownership of their products. We would discuss all of the verticals within an organization that play a role across the phases of the product lifecycle and what higher levels of responsibility within product management look like. Additionally, I would be available to them to discuss difficult problems and brainstorm potential solutions. This would help them improve their work at their own level while preparing them to take on more senior roles in the future."