Micro-Interview: Lora Kostova, Sr. Product Manager | Halo Precision Diagnostics
💬 "product management is mostly about communication"
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Lora Kostova is a Senior Product Manager at HALO Precision Diagnostics, a healthcare company providing comprehensive precision diagnostics through hereditary cancer gene testing and advanced imaging.
In under 500 words, she shares:
How she got into product management…
How she starts her mornings for maximum productivity…
Some of her sources of learning…
And more…
Enjoy!
“How did you get into product management?”
My journey into product management unfolded naturally, starting with being a UX Designer. In my first job, I worked closely with the PM and was fascinated with her influence on the product and stakeholders and the dynamic nature of the role. Later, at a design agency, I played a central role in liaising with clients and assisting with prioritizing ideas and features. Before I knew it, I transitioned into an official PM role, diving deep into the domain.
“How do you start your mornings at work?”
I am the opposite of an early bird, so I usually start my day with sync meetings with the teams I work with and proceed with my day. I end the day with a recap of my open tasks and devise a plan for the next day.
“What do you know about product management now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”
Influencing stakeholders and decision-makers more senior than you is the challenging part, not discovery, validation, or execution. Convincing individuals firmly rooted in their assumptions can be the most challenging aspect of the job.
“What did your biggest product failure teach you?”
Be firm when saying “no”. I struggle with this sometimes;
However, I've learned that assertively communicating decisions, technical limitations, and the potential impact of certain functionalities is indispensable.
Overcommunicating these factors ensures a shared understanding among stakeholders and minimizes the risk of overlooking critical considerations.
“What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your product management learning curve?”
Definitely, my expertise in user research, coupled with working in a more international environment.
After all, product management is mostly about communication, so having a lot of practice in handling different types of people is extremely valuable.
Strong engineering teams to work with is also a considerable advantage.
“How do you stay updated on the best practices in product management?”
Mostly by listening to podcasts like Lenny’s Podcast and reading the Product Talk newsletter. I also read a few insightful newsletters focused on the healthcare domain, such as The Healthcare Brew and The Medical Futurist. Those help me stay on top of product innovations in this area.