In the spirit of Women’s History Month, we brought together the insights of product management leaders and Pragmatic instructors Cindy Cruzado and Amy Graham in a comprehensive interview that sheds light on their experiences, challenges, and insights on the product management industry.
How can gender bias be removed from testing, strategy, and market segmentation?
Cindy Cruzado: “Flip the conversation from assumptions based on gender to real value based on problems! By examining their success criteria and what roadblocks or problems they face, you can better understand your audience’s market problems and know the urgencies and negative consequences surrounding those problems.
Aim to be driven by market needs, concentrating on detailed profiles and insights from the market to address specific requirements. Being market-driven involves recognizing the diverse traits of a population, with gender being just one of many factors.”
Amy Graham: “Awareness and education around bias are the first step to being better. Educate team members, various stakeholders, and decision-makers about the importance of diversity and inclusion. It’s important to create a welcoming space where everyone can have their ideas heard, especially during planning and testing. Using words that include everyone helps reduce bias. Also, we should always look at how we work to find ways to do better.”
What role do you believe mentorship plays in advancing women’s careers, and how can we foster more of these relationships?
Cindy Cruzado: “A mentor provides a safe space for mentees to express concerns, seek advice, and learn from the experiences of someone who has navigated similar paths. Mentors provide guidance and perspective based on their own experiences. Moreover, mentors can boost their mentees’ confidence and encourage them to take on new challenges.”
Amy Graham: “At a conference, I heard a female executive from a multi-billion dollar company discuss how women often hesitate to apply for tech jobs or take on certain tasks because we scrutinize job descriptions too closely. We might think, “I can do this, but not that,” which leads us to believe we’re not qualified if we can’t tick every box. Having a mentor is crucial for overcoming these doubts.
A mentor can inspire us, help us navigate through the false beliefs we hold about ourselves, and practice how to handle work situations. It’s important for women to be bold, seek mentorship, and encourage others to do the same.”
What changes would you like to see in the industry to create a more equitable environment for women and underrepresented groups?
Cindy Cruzado: “Creating a fairer workplace for women and underrepresented groups starts with intentionally creating a path to onboard people from different parts of the organization into a product role. Mentorship also plays a key role in establishing psychological safety within teams.”
Amy Graham: “I hope to see organizations worldwide pushing for more women and people from underrepresented groups to be in leadership roles. We must keep advocating for equal pay for equal work, no matter the gender or background.”
How can organizations better support the professional development and leadership skills of their female employees?
Cindy Cruzado: “Promoting women into leadership positions is not enough. Leaders should offer continuous support to newly promoted individuals. Additionally, providing opportunities for ongoing learning and development is essential.”
Amy Graham: “Organizations can enhance their support by providing dedicated funds for training and continuous learning annually.”
Creating and promoting structured networking and mentorship programs within the organization can significantly impact.”
How do Pragmatic trainings give executive leaders, regardless of gender, the skills needed to excel professionally?
Cindy Cruzado: “Pragmatic training offers a structured approach and a common language, improving communication and teamwork across product organizations. This is especially useful for leaders, enabling them to guide their teams and become a highly collaborative and efficient product organization. Pragmatic training lays out a clear path for understanding your role through 37 targeted focus areas.”
Amy Graham: “Pragmatic’s training gives executive leaders a clear plan and shared language to build top-notch product management and marketing teams. It helps executives identify key priorities for their teams, from research to business planning to sales support, leading to the success of the whole organization.”
How does the Pragmatic Alumni Community help support women in finding mentors and a support network?
Cindy Cruzado: “The Pragmatic Alumni Community provides a platform for sharing experiences, questions, and insights, and based on the activity we see, it’s an environment where members feel comfortable seeking advice and guidance. There are Pragmatic ambassadors always willing to lend a hand with encouragement and suggestions. The community also offers resources, including tools, refresher courses, workshops, and direct access to Pragmatic instructors. These resources facilitate interactions and connections among community members and can lead to mentorship relationships.”
Amy Graham: “The Pragmatic Alumni Community is a fabulous resource for everyone, regardless of gender. It provides a platform where members can connect with experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and guidance. This community facilitates mentorship opportunities by organizing networking events, workshops, and forums where women can seek advice, share experiences, and find role models who have navigated similar career paths.”
Cindy and Amy’s discussions illuminate the critical role of shifting focus from gender assumptions to market needs and embracing mentorship, underscoring how these strategies can significantly propel women’s advancement in product management. Through their experiences, they highlight the imperative need for changes that foster a more inclusive, equitable environment. The path forward involves recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, providing platforms for mentorship, and ensuring that women have the support and resources they need to excel in their careers.
Cindy Cruzado and Amy Graham are changemakers in the industry but also transformative in the classroom. Participate in one of the Pragmatic classes they lead, where you’ll gain invaluable insights into product management, strategy, and leadership, all while being part of a supportive community. Learn more about product management courses here.
