Stephen Heisserer

Product management leader, coach, and lifelong builder. Founder of Product Lab, husband, dog + girl dad.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

@CA_EDD My claim is active, but I still haven’t received payment 4 weeks after filing. When I call, I only get an automated message saying more information is needed, but I haven’t been told what to provide. Please clarify what’s needed so my claim can move forward.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

I’ve opened up 1:1 sessions on @mentorcruise for PMs, founders, and product leaders who want honest, practical guidance, no big commitment required.

If you're feeling stuck or need a second set of eyes, I'm here.

→ https://t.co/bxGMneIAtH

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Principles create clarity when process falls short.

They help teams move faster, make better decisions, and stay aligned.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

The best product teams don’t rely on step-by-step instructions.

They move fast because they share a few clear principles.

Here are 6 I keep coming back to 👇

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

6. Outcome-based execution

Don’t just ship features—ship impact. Tie execution back to real outcomes.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

AI is shifting the landscape fast, but strong moats still matter: Brand, UX, Data, and Distribution.

Here's a simple way to think about them.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Launching a new product practice?

Start with a clear vision of how your team will create products 6–12 months from now.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Great product teams don’t just execute—they have a vision.

A strong product vision shapes how teams think, make decisions, and build great products. It’s about deep customer understanding, data-driven choices, and a shared approach.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

How are you ensuring strategy and execution stay in sync?

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Startups don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because strategy & execution don’t connect.

Leadership teams often underestimate the time needed to align them, leading to misaligned teams & stalled growth.

Great leaders + teams obsess over this.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

How do you keep strategy and discovery in sync?

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Strategy without discovery is like building on quicksand.

Too many teams jump to execution without validating if their strategy holds up. Then they wonder why things aren’t working.

Discovery isn’t a one-time step—it keeps strategy grounded.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

How do you tackle your first 90 days in a new startup?

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Walking into a startup at the 0→1 stage?

The first 90 days are critical—without a clear approach, it’s easy to get lost.

A solid plan helps you learn what matters—how the business runs, where the product is headed, the tech behind it, and what customers actually need.

[Stephen Heisserer @sheisserer]

Companies chase unicorns. Instead, draft talent like a football player—start with a vision, then adjust the role as you learn their strengths. Flexibility wins.