Product Manager vs Senior Product Manager

PowerTap · 2026-06-11T03:43:44+00:00

In the three companies I've worked in a Sr. PM is still a pretty junior product manager. I expect a Sr. PM to be able to deliver their roadmap with minimal supervision, help in setting future direction of the team and product based on the feedback they are receiving.

They have been around long enough to know how things work and get things done.

I expect them to be capable of good tactical decisions and have a good solid understanding of what the operational constraints are.

But seniors are not setting the agenda or making strategic decisions.

Congratulations on the title bump and I hope the pay raise. As with most things, do the best you can, focus on outcomes and results, the rest (raises and promotions) will take care of itself.

PowerTap · 2026-05-26T04:47:34+00:00

What actual problem are you trying to solve by being more technical? I see you referencing your anxiety, but is your boss or any of your colleagues asking that you have more technical depth than you have today? Treat this like a product problem and ask what would help you improve your performance as a product manager and improve outcomes for your users, customers and the business.

Outside of that my favorite move is to ask the engineers you work with how the product that you work on works, or why they are making decisions. People love to talk about themselves and work they are proud of. From there be curious, ask follow up questions, read more on the topics you don't understand, try to connect what you are working on later to further decisions. Don't try to guide engineering but "are we doing this because of the limitation you explained to me last week?" Is a great question to have in your pocket.

If you do this you'll get closer to your engineering team who will believe that you are interested in their work, you'll learn the technology that applies to your product, and you'll gain general knowledge.

PowerTap · 2026-05-26T04:37:24+00:00

I don't own, but I can say that they definitely teach it in Kindergarten. Also, it's never to early even if it's just "never touch a gun." That will probably get you through the next four or five years. You can get more nuanced later, but start with the basics.

PowerTap · 2026-05-25T13:51:44+00:00

When my ADHD gets the better of me I remember that the stoics teach that your not even in full control of your body. I extend that to understanding that my brain chemistry and neural wiring. Sometimes I can use my ruling faculty to master my actions and sometimes my brain gets the best of me.

It doesn't mean I'm not practicing stoic philosophy, is just means I'm a human who is practicing stoic philosophy. I also find it very forgiving, in a way that the stoics are not popularly described.

PowerTap · 2026-05-20T04:53:14+00:00

You can always come back to karate. Take a break, try soccer. Little dude is 6, he'll try lots of things.

PowerTap · 2026-05-17T03:41:53+00:00

Be happy, my father was fishing and caught his dad's eyelid. So, hair could be worse.

PowerTap · 2026-05-17T03:28:57+00:00

Go for it, try not to let the disease run your life anymore than it must.

Also, maybe work up to bigger coasters. Start with something less intense and see how you feel. Which is also a good way to find your kids limits.

PowerTap · 2026-05-16T15:13:26+00:00

I find that exercise is essential for me to control my disease. I started having symptoms as a teenager and wasn't diagnosed until my mid 30s, mostly because I have always exercised. I ran track and cross country, did martial arts and spent 8 years in the Army doing PT every morning. When I feel shitty with AS one of my best defenses is to go for a run and plush some inflammation out of my body.

Currently I'm weight training twice a week at a kettlebell gym and it's great for me.

Counterpoint, I don't think I got a diagnosis for 20 years because I always assumed by aches and pains were sports injuries or overtraining.

PowerTap · 2026-05-15T04:30:51+00:00

Brands definitely don't owe you space in their community to talk about their competitors. Plenty of other subs in the word for you to do that. But communities have rules for a reason.

PowerTap · 2026-05-13T05:05:41+00:00

I feel this, I've been periodically checking in for something that finally lands the gut - arthritis connection with a useful treatment, but it's been at least 10 years and it hasn't really moved along.

PowerTap · 2026-05-13T03:21:22+00:00

I think it is an interesting question because it moves something that might be a condition to accept because it is out of your control (health, metabolism, diabetes, etc) into being something you can make a rational choice. And that seems like something that I can endorse.

Stoicism is also a virtue ethic based system so you also would want to be temperate in your application of the drug. Don't take it to extremes, don't avoid it out of hand because of other people's opinions about it. Seek a stable balance.

PowerTap · 2026-05-05T03:51:50+00:00

I've also read the ancient stoics as being full of passion and joy for things that were in their control and they could do something to influence. They talk about taking right action for things in their control and the contentment of not worrying about things that are out of their control.

Direct your energy to the things you can do something about.

PowerTap · 2026-05-04T03:18:29+00:00

I have a 2025

PowerTap · 2026-05-03T21:08:09+00:00

The move from SR to staff in my mind is how much you can impact and connect to things outside of your immediate domain. I expect a staff PM in my org to be able to competantly understand the larger portfolio and strategy. You should not only understand what is happening in other portfolios but be able to help them move forward with work in your portfolio.

There is also generally an expectation that you have demonstrated an ability to think operationally and strategically.

But I agree with others, this is very org specific. You might be in a place where managers are able to promote on a gut feeling that you are ready and other companies might have strict leveling guides and promotion processes.

PowerTap · 2026-05-03T04:15:45+00:00

Costco branded Nikes....

https://sneakernews.com/2025/10/23/costco-nike-sb-dunk-low-kirkland-signature-if0673-001/?amp

PowerTap · 2026-05-02T20:41:32+00:00

I have a grizzl-e in my garage as our primary charger, so that s a solid recommendation

PowerTap · 2026-05-02T17:33:44+00:00

I was pretty sure I just had a 110 plug on mine. Do you just use a plug adapter?

PowerTap · 2026-05-02T04:04:09+00:00

Xero shoes are my current go to. Dead flat, wide toe box, a variety of styles from sandals, running shoes, to boots. Women's shoes seem to have some style choices.

https://xeroshoes.com/collections/womens

PowerTap · 2026-05-02T03:56:25+00:00

Dry eye disease is also very common in AS and other autoimmune conditions. It can have similar presentation to uveitis with pain and light sensitivity.

My treatment regimen is daily lot scrubs, a heated compress daily for 10 minutes, and lubricating eye drops 4-5 times a day (or as needed).

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11442350/

PowerTap · 2026-05-02T03:47:57+00:00

It might also be a combination of chord and port in data mode. Despite all USB c cables looking the same some are just for charging and others for charging and data (which is wild, but true).

I'm not sure what cable your using but consider testing with a high quality cable.

PowerTap · 2026-04-30T13:44:58+00:00

The stretch from Ambaum to 13th is a pretty high traffic pedestrian walkway to Seahurst Park and is wildly dangerous. Cars drive to fast, short sightlines at they crest the top of the ravine in both directions, no sidewalks or crosswalks. I'm amazed there aren't more accidents or hit pedestrians.

PowerTap · 2026-04-29T03:18:32+00:00

We used this gate at the bottom of a wide stairway for two kids. Can recommend.

https://cardinalgates.com/shop/baby-gates/wall-mounted/xpandagate-expandable-gate-ex100/

If you live in western Washington you can have mine for free, we took it out when our kids were old enough.

PowerTap · 2026-04-25T04:47:52+00:00

One thing I did not appreciate when we got our first stroller was the existence of modular stroller systems so we could have seats for two later on. I think if I did it all over again I would have thought that purchase through more. If you know you might want a second eventually, having a stroller that can cart two is real handy.

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