DX Perspective: Mastering Product Sense, Getting Better At Transitions, and The Case Against Conversational Interfaces

Hi all!

Here’s your weekly dose of DX Perspective, a list of what I’m exploring and thinking about. Feel free to forward this along to friends.

kw picks

• Make Something Heavy

  If something is heavy, we assume it matters. And often, it does. Weight signals quality, durability, presence, permanence.

• The definitive guide to mastering product sense interviews

  The product sense interview is one of the most important and most mysterious steps of the PM interview loop, and Ben Erez just wrote your new bible for mastering that interview.

What I'm reading

• The Four Types of Executive Teams

  Is your leadership model designed by choice—or just tradition? Without realizing it, leadership teams fall into default patterns: centralizing decisions, pushing for coordination, or encouraging autonomy. These habits may have once served the organization, but over time, they can become mismatched to the moment.

• Bringing product thinking to any team by Merissa Silk

  Before we jump into the tactics, let’s get on the same page about product thinking. At its core, product thinking is problem-solving. When you apply product thinking, you are putting your users’ needs front and center while progressing from problem to solution. Let’s take a closer look at how you can get your entire team thinking like a product person.

• Learn to Get Better at Transitions

  Thanks to longer, healthier lives, human beings face more life transitions than ever before. No matter what age or stage you’re at, transitioning is a skill to work on.

What I'm watching + listening to

• Mike Biggs - Product Constellations

  Product management in non-product organizations

Emerging Tech

• The case against conversational interfaces

  Conversational interfaces are a bit of a meme. Every couple of years a shiny new AI development emerges and people in tech go “This is it! The next computing paradigm is here! We’ll only use natural language going forward!”. But then nothing actually changes and we continue using computers the way we always have, until the debate resurfaces a few years later.

Tools and Resources

• OpenAI Academy

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My recent articles

• Are You Actually Making Progress? How I Rewired My Weekly Reflection to Drive Real Impact

• Strategic Design Leadership: Essential Questions for Design Executives

• Fueling Innovation: How Design Leaders Drive Product Transformation

• Moving Beyond Execution — The Evolution to Strategic Design Leadership

• Decoding The Future: The Evolution Of Intelligent Interfaces

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🔈 Design Leadership at Scale — Shape The Future of Business

DLS courses are built for design leaders ready to sharpen their strategy, expand their influence, and lead at the highest level. Whether you‘re mapping your next career move, strengthening design operations, or stepping into executive leadership, these programs give you the frameworks and insights to drive real impact.

DLS: Career Strategy (May 17—18)

Your career journey deserves intention and strategy. This weekend immersive is designed for design leaders who are ready to map out their path, elevate their impact, and align their leadership trajectory with long-term goals. Whether refining your current role or preparing for new opportunities, you’ll gain actionable frameworks to craft a career that stands out in a competitive market.

Learn more and enroll.

DLS: Executive (June 23–July 3)

This advanced course is tailored for senior design leaders—Senior Directors, VPs, SVPs, and CDOs — who are ready to lead at the intersection of design, business strategy, and emerging technology. Dive deep into aligning design with business objectives, fostering product culture transformation, and building scalable operations that support innovation and growth.

Learn more and apply.

DLS: Operations

Scaling a design organization without compromising quality or culture is a challenge every design leader faces. This course equips senior and emerging design operations leaders with the tools to build robust infrastructure, optimize processes, and drive operational excellence. From talent development to systems that support rapid growth, this program is crafted for leaders ready to take their teams to the next level.

Learn more and apply.

DLS: Director+

Built for experienced design leaders ready to step up to executive roles, Director+ focuses on leading in complex, matrixed organizations, scaling your influence, and making high-impact decisions. This course will empower you to lead with clarity and confidence, bridging design with broader business goals to drive value across the organization.

Learn more and join waitlist.

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And please give me feedback. Which bullet above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know.

Have a great weekend.

— Rachel