When the CEO Doesn’t Get It

Product leaders and CEOs often see things differently. That’s how it should be. But many product leaders take it personally, and instead of partnering with their CEOs they try to minimize the interference. Here is what you really need to do when you feel they don’t get it.

Are You Bounded by Authority?

Everyone treats authority differently. Some of it is cultural, and some of it is personal, but how you treat authority impacts your ability to lead. Especially in product management, where authority is limited, you need to act beyond the limits of formality. Here is how.

What the Board Wants to Hear in a Product Presentation

When product leaders need to present to the board, they often talk about the product. But the board doesn’t want to hear about features. They want to know that they can trust you. Here are the important points to make sure you cover.

The Mental Load of Attacking at All Fronts

Managing companies, like households, come with an often overlooked mental load. But ignoring it doesn’t take away its impact, which could eventually lead to not being able to meet any of your goals. Here is what the mental load means for a company and how to deal with it.

3 Misconceptions About CEO Communication

As product leaders, we constantly struggle to balance between getting guidance from above and setting the direction ourselves. The CEO, or any of the founders if you are in a startup, seems to rightfully want to set the tone. Or do they? Here are 3 things you want to pay attention to.

When Your CEO Needs a Strategy Now

If you are the new product leader of your company, your company might be in product leadership debt. In such situations, you would typically be asked to come up with a strategy and roadmap ASAP, but you are still just learning the domain. Here is how to give the CEO what they need while staying true to your professional standards.

How to Manage Your CEO

Product leaders and CEOs tend to have complicated relationships because of the obvious overlap in their responsibilities. Managing your CEO is one of the most important skills that you can master as a product leader. Here’s a quick start guide.

Is Your Job to Keep Your Boss Happy?

As product leaders, our job is often the opposite: to highlight to everyone what we are doing wrong and what we are missing. But on the other hand, you still have a manager who wants things from you. How to keep them happy while staying true to your real mission? All the answers below.

CEO and Product Leader Relationship Status: It’s Complicated

The relationship between tech CEOs and their product leader is often challenging to manage but is super impactful on the company’s success. Here is what it looks like, and some advice on how to improve it for both sides.

“…and I need it TODAY!”

How to remain strategic about your product when your CEO needs answers ASAP