Lenny's Newsletter · Lenny Rachitsky
podcastplaybookThis CPO regrets that product management exists | Tom Verrilli (CPO of Whatnot)
2 August 2026Product
Source excerpt
About Lenny's NewsletterListen now | Tom Verrilli explains why fewer, more senior PMs doing real IC work outperform any ratio-driven org structure
This is a limited feed-provided excerpt, not the full original work.
Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Design product management around meaningful ownership, not staffing ratios. A smaller group of senior PMs who remain close to the work may be more effective than adding coordination layers.
Why it matters
Ratio-driven hiring can add process without improving product decisions. Clear ownership and experienced individual contribution can keep teams focused while reducing organizational overhead.
Relevant guides
Put it to work
Review your product organization: which PM roles own a clear customer problem and make hands-on decisions, and which primarily coordinate work that could be simplified or eliminated?
Private notes