From Storytelling to Product Management with Laura Williams Argilla

Introduction and Laura’s Journey from Broadcasting to Product

Nicole Tieche | 00:00–01:27

Hi everyone, I’m **Nicole Tieche**, your host for our *Trailblazing Women in Product Management* segment. Today, our guest is **Laura Williams Argilla**, Creative Product Executive who’s worked with companies like **Netflix**, **Tableau**, and **Adobe**. Laura, welcome — we’re so excited to hear your story!

Laura Williams Argilla | 01:27–02:31

Thank you for having me, Nicole! My journey actually started with a degree in broadcasting because I wanted to do educational television — I was inspired by **Mr. Rogers** and his ability to connect people to the world around them. From there, I ran the technical side of the motion picture department at an art college in San Francisco before getting a call from a recruiter for a **quality engineering** role at Adobe.

At first, I told them they had the wrong person — I wasn’t an engineer! But when they explained that the role meant using tools, finding problems, and helping fix them, I realized that’s exactly what I loved doing.

From Art College to Adobe: The Leap into Tech

Laura Williams Argilla | 02:31–03:50

When I joined Adobe in 2000, product management was still evolving. I had direct experience working with editors, so I helped the product team design features, prioritize, and understand user expectations. I was essentially doing product management — defining user requirements, advocating for design clarity, and telling the story of *why* our users needed something.

That storytelling became my superpower: connecting engineers, designers, and business leaders through the customer’s perspective.

Storytelling as the Core of Product Communication

Laura Williams Argilla | 03:50–05:10

Every department needs a different version of the story. You wouldn’t talk to engineers the same way you talk to marketers. Engineers need to know what might break; product managers need to feel inspired by the problem they’re solving. Storytelling bridges those worlds — it makes the user’s needs real and human.

The Evolution of Product Management Over 20+ Years

Laura Williams Argilla | 05:10–06:25

When I started, people confused product management with marketing. Now, there’s recognition that PMs drive the *why*, not just the *what*. The most exciting shift has been the broader understanding of our value — guiding the evolution of products while ensuring measurable, meaningful impact.

The Power of Diverse Voices in Product Management

Laura Williams Argilla | 06:25–07:48

I love seeing diversity growing in product management — not just people from engineering but from design, education, psychology, and business. Different perspectives lead to better products because they represent the diversity of users.

Balancing Quantitative Metrics and Human Experience

Laura Williams Argilla | 07:48–09:03

We’ve become so focused on what’s measurable that we risk losing sight of what’s *meaningful*. Metrics are important, but they should serve human outcomes. Some of the most valuable aspects of great products — joy, simplicity, creativity — are hard to quantify.

Lessons from Twitch: Understanding User Motivation

Laura Williams Argilla | 09:03–11:39

At Twitch, we discovered that users’ motivations weren’t what we thought. Our data showed engagement spikes, but user interviews revealed a deeper need: community recognition. People wanted to feel seen by streamers and peers. Once we reframed our understanding, we were able to design features that supported that sense of belonging — and adoption skyrocketed.

Discovering the “Why” Behind Behavior

Laura Williams Argilla | 11:39–14:42

We dug into user research and interviews, analyzing years of data. The key insight came from mapping the relationships between streamers and communities — understanding not just *why* people watched but *why* they participated. That deeper context allowed us to create a framework that connected motivation, behavior, and satisfaction.

Empathy, Compassion, and Solving Real Problems

Laura Williams Argilla | 14:42–15:37

Empathy means understanding your users’ feelings. Compassion means being moved to act on them. The best product managers don’t stop at understanding pain points — they feel driven to solve them.

Advice for Women Entering Product Management

Laura Williams Argilla | 15:37–16:07

There’s no single path into product management. I didn’t plan on it — most PMs don’t. Be curious. Ask questions. Build relationships. Curiosity will take you further than credentials ever will.

Curiosity as the Superpower of Great PMs

Laura Williams Argilla | 16:07–17:28

Curiosity drives learning, creativity, and connection. The best PMs question everything — from processes to design decisions to how people use products.

Empathy vs. Compassion: Understanding and Action

Laura Williams Argilla | 17:28–19:21

Empathy lets you *see* a problem; compassion makes you *solve* it. Great PMs feel compelled to take action. They’re driven to make users’ lives better — not because it’s a KPI, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Falling in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution

Laura Williams Argilla | 19:21–20:45

Don’t cling to a solution that doesn’t work. The best PMs are humble enough to pivot. If it’s not solving the problem, it’s not the right answer — yet.

Learning to Say “No” and Prioritize Effectively

Laura Williams Argilla | 20:45–22:04

Saying “no” is one of the hardest but most important parts of being a PM. You’ll never have the time or resources for everything. Focus on solving the *right* problems first.

Building Trust and Practicing PM Skills Anywhere

Laura Williams Argilla | 22:04–23:55

You can practice product management skills anywhere — in customer service, operations, or even at home. Empathy, problem-solving, and communication are universal.

Mentorship, Networking, and Paying It Forward

Laura Williams Argilla | 23:55–24:24

The PM community is incredibly supportive. If you admire someone’s work, reach out. Most people are happy to mentor or offer guidance — you just have to ask.

How to Connect with Laura Williams Argilla

Laura Williams Argilla | 24:24–24:43

You can find me on **LinkedIn** — just search “Laura Williams Argilla.” I love mentoring aspiring PMs and helping people navigate their careers.

Closing Thoughts from Nicole

Nicole Tieche | 24:43–End

Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing your story and inspiring advice. And thank you to our listeners for joining us on *Productside Stories*. Don’t forget to subscribe for more empowering conversations with trailblazing women in product management.