Melissa Perri on Translating Product Insights for Executive Audiences

In a recent LinkedIn post, Melissa Perri discusses the critical skill of translating product management concepts into language that resonates with executive leadership, particularly those outside of the product domain. Perri emphasizes that successful product leaders master this communication art, enabling them to gain influence and drive business impact.

Bridging the Communication Gap

Perri highlights a common pitfall for many product managers: attempting to educate the entire organization about product thinking and its associated jargon. Instead, she advocates for a more adaptive approach where product leaders meet stakeholders in their own linguistic and conceptual worlds. This strategy, according to Perri, is key to moving beyond a purely delivery-focused role and into true leadership.

“Your CFO won’t connect with ‘discovery,’ but call it 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 and you’ll get their attention.”

Perri elaborates on this point, explaining that the same underlying work can be framed in ways that align with different departmental priorities and understanding. For instance, user research can be presented as “risk management” to a finance team, tapping into their existing concerns and priorities.

The Power of Translation in Expanding Influence

The core argument presented by Perri is that this ability to translate product work into business terms is not about “dumbing things down.” Rather, it is a demonstration of sophisticated business acumen that extends beyond the product function itself. By speaking the language of finance, sales, and the board, product leaders can significantly amplify the perceived value and impact of their work.

Demonstrating Business Acumen

As Melissa Perri notes:

“This translation skill separates product managers who stay in delivery mode from product leaders who grow their influence. You’re not dumbing things down, you’re demonstrating business acumen that goes beyond your function.”

Perri suggests that this adaptability is what differentiates those who remain mired in execution from those who ascend to broader leadership roles. The ability to connect product initiatives to overarching business goals in terms that executives understand is paramount.

Expanding Tenfold Influence

The ultimate outcome of mastering this communication skill, according to Perri, is a dramatic increase in a product leader’s influence and effectiveness within an organization. She poses a direct question to her audience, encouraging reflection on their own practices:

“If you can make your work matter to finance, sales, and the board in 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 terms, you’ve just expanded your influence tenfold.”

Perri’s insights, shared via her LinkedIn post and further discussed on the ‘Product Thinking with Melissa Perri Podcast’ featuring Fabrice des Mazery, underscore the strategic importance of effective communication in product leadership. By adapting their language and framing their work through the lens of other business functions, product leaders can foster better understanding, build stronger relationships, and ultimately drive greater business success.