The primary time an engineer informed me, “You really get it,” I felt like I’d earned a badge of honor. That remark didn’t come out of nowhere. It was the results of months spent diving deep into the center of their product, asking questions, breaking options on goal, and studying as a lot as I may.
Early in my profession, I observed my authorized recommendation typically stalled out. It wasn’t as a result of it was fallacious however as a result of it didn’t resonate. I noticed the problem: I couldn’t counsel successfully on one thing I didn’t really perceive. That second modified my method as a product counsel.
Right here’s how I earned my product staff’s belief by studying the product inside out — and how one can, too.
Begin With Curiosity
It’s straightforward to skim a product spec or watch a demo and name it a day. However that solely scratches the floor.
Once I began working with a SaaS staff, I insisted on utilizing the product myself. I clicked each button, broke options deliberately, and requested why sure choices had been made. Then I shadowed buyer assist to listen to what customers complained about.
This wasn’t only a technical train—it was emotional. I realized what pissed off customers, why sure options had been essential, and the way authorized may assist the staff ship a greater expertise.
Takeaway: Spend time utilizing the product and listening to its customers. The insights you acquire will make your recommendation sharper and extra related.
Study Simply Sufficient Tech To Converse Their Language
Once I first heard the phrase “API” in a gathering, I nodded alongside and Googled it later. However as an alternative of stopping there, I requested the engineers to elucidate it in plain language. That opened the door to studying about coding fundamentals, information flows, and the way the product’s backend labored.
I’m not a developer, however understanding the basics helps me give sensible recommendation. I can recommend possible options and keep away from asking for adjustments that will derail the staff’s efforts.
Takeaway: You don’t must code, however studying the fundamentals of your product’s tech earns credibility and improves collaboration.
Stroll In The Consumer’s Footwear
Authorized dangers don’t exist in a vacuum — they’re a part of the person expertise. One in all my most beneficial workout routines was mapping out the client journey for a fintech app. Once I observed our phrases had been buried in tremendous print, I flagged it as each a compliance difficulty and a poor person expertise.
We redesigned the circulate to make the phrases accessible and simple to know. The outcome? Happier clients and lowered authorized threat.
Takeaway: Seeing the product by the person’s eyes helps you handle dangers in ways in which profit everybody — clients, groups, and the enterprise.
Perceive The ‘Why’
Authorized isn’t nearly options; it’s about technique. Once I labored on a well being care instrument designed for worldwide markets, I wanted to know the corporate’s imaginative and prescient for enlargement. Understanding their targets helped me concentrate on cross-border information compliance and worldwide agreements quite than much less essential points.
Takeaway: Align your recommendation with the product’s bigger targets. It exhibits you’re invested within the enterprise, not simply the dangers.
Keep Forward Of The Roadmap
I as soon as missed a key function in improvement as a result of I wasn’t looped in early sufficient. By the point I noticed it, it was too late to deal with a compliance difficulty with out pricey adjustments.
Now, I make it a degree to attend roadmap conferences and have casual chats with product managers. This helps me flag dangers earlier than they snowball into issues.
Takeaway: Construct relationships so the staff naturally includes you early. Proactive recommendation is more practical than reactive fixes.
Translate Authorized Converse Into Motion
Generic recommendation like “be conscious of privateness legal guidelines” doesn’t assist anybody. As a substitute, I break issues down. For instance, I’d say, “Let’s replace the consent circulate to fulfill GDPR necessities,” and embrace annotated screenshots to make it clear.
Takeaway: The better you make your recommendation to behave on, the extra your staff will belief and depend on you.
Advocate For The Staff
While you perceive the product, you might be greater than a authorized advisor — you might be an advocate. I’ve defended design decisions to executives, defined technical particulars to regulators, and celebrated product wins.
These moments construct belief and present the staff you’re invested of their success.
Takeaway: Advocacy strengthens relationships and positions you as a real companion.
Preserve Studying
