This CPO regrets that product management exists | Tom Verrilli (CPO of Whatnot)
In this episode, Tom Verrilli, CPO of Whatnot, shares his provocative stance that product management's widespread existence is regrettable, advocating for empowering engineers and designers. He outlines Whatnot's lean PM model, stringent hiring practices, and the push for senior product leaders to engage in hands-on IC work. Verrilli also details how AI is revolutionizing product development and introduces a strategic iteration framework, emphasizing the value of leadership staying deeply 'in the weeds' for optimal product outcomes.
- Whatnot's product culture, championed by CPO Tom Verrilli, operates on a "verify then trust" principle, challenging the typical "trust but verify" model for senior leaders. Read →
- Whatnot's CPO Tom Verrilli challenges the norm, stating that promoting A-player product managers into purely managerial roles removes their most valuable skills from direct impact. Read →
- Tom Verrilli, CPO of Whatnot, admits his most common career blunder is over-reliance on average product metrics. Read →
- Tom Verrilli, CPO of Whatnot, argues that the widespread existence of traditional product management roles is regrettable, advocating instead for empowering engineers and designers. Read →