EXCITING NEWS!! I am thrilled to announce my latest offering:
Product Leadership 101: Foundations of Strategic Product Leadership
Are you a Product Manager ready to elevate your career? This cohort-based masterclass is designed to transform high-performing Product Managers into strategic Product Leaders.
You’ll learn:
- Strategic thinking and vision setting
- Team leadership and management
- AI applications in product management
- And much more!
First cohort starts on September 16, 2024. Limited spots available.
Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your product leadership journey!
In a recent episode of Lenny's Podcast, a nugget of wisdom caught my attention:
"The best user research technique is often to just pick up the phone and call ten customers. You don't need a research plan, a research lead, someone to summarize results, etc. Those things just add distance between you and the customer and overhead that slows research down. If you have a direct line to the customer instead, you'll often find that it only takes five conversations before you gain strong, reliable insights."
This quote embodies a principle that extends far beyond user research—it's about taking initiative and owning your path forward. As product managers, we're accustomed to driving product success, but how often do we apply that same drive to our own careers?
From Product Manager to Product Leader
The journey from product manager to product leader isn't a passive one. It's a path you must actively forge for yourself. Just as you wouldn't wait for user insights to magically appear, you can't expect leadership opportunities to fall into your lap. You need to pick up the phone, so to speak, and make it happen. No one else will prioritize your growth or advocate for your advancement as passionately as you will. It's up to you to identify the gaps in your skill set, seek out learning opportunities, and position yourself for that next big role.
For product managers aspiring to lead teams of product managers, the leap from managing products to managing people requires a whole new set of skills. You need to understand strategic product leadership, team dynamics, portfolio management, and how to navigate the complexities of organizational structures...to name just a few.
How to Get Started
But here's the kicker—just like with user research, you don't need an elaborate plan to start. Begin by reaching out to current product leaders. Ask for informational interviews. Shadow a leader for a day. These direct experiences will provide valuable insights to get you on the right path.
Remember, every product leader started where you are now. They didn't wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder and bestow leadership upon them. They took action, sought opportunities, and demonstrated their readiness to lead. Which begs the questions, "how do I get ready to be a Product Leader?" How do I prepare myself to be a leader who can guide teams through uncertainty, make data-driven decisions, and balance innovation with execution."
Brand New Masterclass
If you're ready to take that next step in your product management career, I'm excited to announce a new opportunity to accelerate your journey. I'm launching "Product Leadership 101: Foundations of Strategic Product Leadership," the first part of an intensive cohort-based program designed to prepare high-performing product managers for their next career step: leading teams of product managers in the AI era.
This masterclass, along with its follow-up "Product Leadership 102: Advanced Product Leadership in the AI Era," will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to search for and succeed in your first Product Leadership role. We'll dive deep into strategic thinking, team management, and the unique challenges of leading in the product space.
The program kicks off in mid-September, giving you ample time to prepare for this transformative experience. If you're a product manager with ambitions of becoming a product leader, don't wait for opportunity to knock—create it. Visit my website to learn more about this masterclass and take the first step towards owning your product leadership journey.
Break a Pencil,
PS: If you enjoyed this, please share with others. Referrals are always appreciated.
PPS: Please tell your Product Manager friends and colleagues about the masterclass - it’s always nice to know that others care.
Content Recommendation
The team at Silicon Valley Product Group has launched a new podcast called "Product Therapy." Their first episode focuses on coaching product managers who feel they lack control or agency in their work roles. This topic is sure to resonate with many product managers, as it's incredibly common. It’s a great episode and worth a listen for the valuable insights it offers for those facing this challenge.
