In this episode, Leah Zillner, product manager at Intellum, sits down with host Rebecca Kalogeris to discuss her transition from program management to product management. She explains how Pragmatic Institute helped her gain the skills to dive into market research, feedback analysis, and data management using tools like UserPilot, Jira, and BigQuery.
Leah also opens up about the realities of working with cross-functional teams without having direct authority, and how trust, communication, and transparency have been her go-to strategies for success. Plus, she shares her personal journey of learning from mistakes and shaking off perfectionism to create a more collaborative team environment.
Key Takeaways:
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- Level Up Your Skills: Hear how Leah transitioned into product management and developed the skills to understand market needs and customer feedback.
- Must-Have Tools for PMs: Discover the go-to tools Leah uses to track feedback, analyze data, and keep everything running smoothly.
- Mastering Internal Dynamics: Learn how to build trust, communicate clearly, and collaborate effectively—especially when you don’t have direct authority.
Guest Bio: Leah Zillner is an innovative product manager at Intellum, where she seamlessly blends her expertise in data management with a deep understanding of customer needs. Before stepping into product management, Leah honed her skills in program management at a nonprofit, where she developed a keen sense of organization, communication, and strategic thinking. This unique background gave her the tools to excel in her current role, where she’s responsible for driving product success. Leah is passionate about building strong partnerships across teams, fostering trust, and advocating for transparent communication. She’s a firm believer in embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and is always focused on creating an environment where her team can thrive.
ABOUT PRAGMATIC INSTITUTE: Since 1993, Pragmatic Institute has provided training and professional development for product, design, and data professionals. Our comprehensive methods and Pragmatic Framework equip professionals with the skills to accelerate innovation, increase customer satisfaction, and bolster revenue. We offer online, in-person, and on-demand courses taught by industry experts with decades of experience.
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