#16 How to build trust as a PMM

Amit Alagh is a Global Product Marketing Manager at Wolters Kluwer and a two-time Product Marketing Alliance award winner. Known for his people-first approach, Amit is also the founder of multiple PMM community initiatives including PMM Fix and the PMM Supper Club. In this episode, we talk about the importance of cross functional collaboration in product marketing.

Trust isn’t a soft skill—it’s your superpower as a Product Marketer. Whether you're launching a product, aligning cross-functional teams, or mentoring others, trust is the thread that holds everything together. Here’s what I’ve learned about building it—and keeping it, after speaking with Amit.

1. Start With People, Not Process

PMMs often jump straight into frameworks and deliverables. Slow down. Do the "listening tour." Learn who you’re working with, what they care about, and how they define success. Build relationships before pushing your agenda.

2. Lead with Humility and Curiosity

You’re not here to be the smartest person in the room—you’re here to connect the dots. Be intellectually curious, thick-skinned, and OK with not having all the answers. Ask questions. Stay humble.

3. Earn the Right to Influence

Before asking for alignment, offer value. Share knowledge. Create clarity. Use tools like the RACI (project management tool) to bring people together around shared goals. When you co-create solutions, people feel ownership. That’s trust.

4. Build Community, Not Just Career Capital

True impact comes from giving back. Whether it’s mentoring, hosting community events, or checking in on peers—you’re growing trust through action. Be the person you needed earlier in your journey.

5. Don’t Drain the Well

Goodwill is finite. If someone helps you, return the favor—or pay it forward. Reputation is built not just on what you deliver, but how you treat others.

Helpful Resources

• Check out tl;dl - the PMM Talk for more PMM stories

• Reach out to Amit Alagh on LinkedIn, he’s always open to help!