The PM as ethical advocate

Product managers occupy a unique position to champion ethical considerations. Sitting at the intersection of business, technology, and user needs, PMs can spot ethical implications that others might miss. This positioning comes with the responsibility to voice concerns, even when doing so feels uncomfortable.^[1]

Effective ethical advocacy requires balancing passion with pragmatism. Frame ethical arguments in language that resonates with your audience. For executives focused on growth, emphasize how ethical practices build long-term customer loyalty. For engineers concerned with technical elegance, highlight how ethical design prevents technical debt from hasty fixes to problematic features.

Timing and approach matter as much as the message itself. Choose moments when stakeholders are most receptive, prepare data that supports your position, and propose concrete alternatives rather than just identifying problems. Building credibility through consistent, thoughtful advocacy makes others more likely to listen when critical ethical issues arise.