3 Hard Conversations Worth Having

Difficult situations are never fun. Unfortunately, as product leaders, we encounter them often. More unfortunately, ignoring them usually isn’t going to make them go away. Having an honest conversation is the first step. Here are three such conversations that are worth getting out of your comfort zone for.

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.

3 Pitfalls to Avoid When Setting Goals for Product Managers

Measuring the performance of product managers is a real challenge for a number of reasons. When planning the product managers’ goals, this challenge can translate into taking the wrong direction altogether. Here is a new way to look at product management goals, and make them a useful tool for both you and your team.

They Are Not Product People

As product leaders we work with so many stakeholders, and we strive to include them in the product definition processes. While generally this is the right thing to do, there is one line that you don’t want to cross: letting them do the product work instead of you, or expecting them to contribute more than they can. Here is a quick guide to finding the right balance.

The Fine Line Between Aggressive Goals and Complete Fantasy

Setting goals is hard. You always need to balance between what you really (really) want, or even need, and what reality can support. And being super ambitious isn’t always the answer. Here is a fresh approach to setting goals that will keep you rooted both in reality and in vision.

Building Trust When Things Get Rough (Part 2)

Trust, as in almost anything in relationships, is built with honest communication. Unfortunately, many times it’s not as easy as it sounds, and it’s hard to be honest even with ourselves. Here are a few simple guidelines to boost your courage and help you make these not always easy conversations.

Building Trust When Things Get Rough (Part 1)

As product leaders, we are entirely dependent on others to be able to deliver results. We need them to follow our guidance, and that cannot happen without trust. Here are a few guidelines to help you re-establish trust when you feel you are in a constant uphill battle.

Becoming a Strategic Product Leader, Part 4: Focus on Impact

We are all here to make an impact. So why is it so hard for us to explain what this impact really is? A guide for keeping your external perspective intact over time.

Becoming a Strategic Product Leader, Part 2: Speak Up.

To take a leadership position, your voice must be heard. Even, and maybe especially, when your managers see things differently.

Becoming a Strategic Product Leader: Understanding the Business

Becoming more strategic is one of the most common – and most challenging – development areas for product leaders. This article and the following ones in the series will help you to get there.

How to Write Your First Strategic Roadmap (Part 3)

The importance of a strategic roadmap goes beyond executing on it. Learn how your roadmap can serve you in various ways after it is ready.

“…and I need it TODAY!”

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