6 Product Leadership Secrets You Must Know to Succeed
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I’m in Product Management for more than 8 years. I’m a learning freak. Over the last 2 years, I’ve read 52+ books on Product Management and Leadership.
During my coaching sessions I have noticed that most people and organizations make the same mistakes over and over again.
There are six rules every Product Manager from the best product organizations follows.
And you should too.
1. Give teams problems to solve, not tasks to do
Set goals and let teams discover how to achieve them best. Hold them accountable for the outcomes, not for what they do.
In the case of OKRs, ask your teams to propose Key Results. This will help you build a stronger commitment and a sense of ownership.
2. Show trust instead of exercising control
This may seem not easy at first. As a rule of thumb, you should delegate and trust much more than you feel comfortable with.
Make sure you provide people with strategic context so that they can make better, informed decisions.
3. Let others work however they need to
The people closest to the problems and the technology know what they need to do their work.
Support them so that they can use any tools, frameworks, or methods they need.
No Jira, no Scrum, or no Git?
No problem.
4. Encourage experimentation and learning from mistakes
It’s impossible to construct detailed plans in complex environments. Accept that some goals will not be achieved. Others will be achieved later than you hope.
Embrace taking calculated risks. Encourage experimentation and learning from mistakes. That’s the only way to innovate.
5. Show vulnerability and listen carefully
Feel good about not being the most intelligent person in the room. Listen carefully. Make sure people feel valued by being in the room with you.
Acknowledge your weaknesses and limitations. Being yourself and showing vulnerability is one of the best ways to build trust.
6. Become an evangelist
Communicate vision and strategy regularly so that others can believe in the mission and trust that they are going in the right direction.
You can do it on every occasion. This may seem excessive at times, but it is essential.
Follow this short, simple advice and see how much it can make a difference.
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