Let’s Talk About Faster Horses

There is no way to succeed without talking to customers. But whenever I say that, people bring up the famous quote about ‘faster horses.’ Whether the quote itself is authentic or not, you shouldn’t take it as an excuse not to talk to your customers. Instead, you should know how to do so and what to ask. Here are the concepts that you need to be aware of.

Building Trust Around Customer Requests

Dealing with customer requests is not always easy. Who owns these requests? Who gets to decide? And how do you say no when it has implications? It all starts with the right mindset and thinking framework. Here is a good way to approach it.

Validation Is the Wrong Word

Everyone knows you can’t build a startup without proper validation. But validation is not the best word to describe what you really need to do and which results you can expect from it. Here is why, and what you need to do instead.

The Roadmap Dilemma

Are roadmaps still a thing? Given that it is going to change, is it worth putting all the time and effort it takes into building a solid roadmap? My answer is yes, and here’s why.

How to Make Fewer Errors During Your Trial-And-Error Journey

Reaching product-market fit, or any product success, requires a lot of trial and error, but that alone isn’t enough. Success requires that you navigate your journey smartly. So never stop trying, but make sure you do it right.

The Right Principles of Agile

Agile is an awesome approach, but only if done right. Many teams implement what they believe is Agile, but they end up doing many things without enjoying the real benefits. Organizations then think Agile is a problem and sometimes ban it. Here is what you should keep your eyes on to do it right for everyone’s benefit.

Smart Use of Principles

Principles are a very powerful tool in product leadership. They can help you create clarity and alignment, and separate the wheat from the chaff. Here are a few ways to use them in your everyday tasks, and some cases where they are not the right tool.

How Fast Is Fast Enough? Understanding Speed in Startups

Everyone knows startups need to move fast. It is often part of their advantage against larger and more traditional companies. But what does moving fast really mean, and why is it that important anyway? To answer this question we need to break speed down to its various meanings and treat each differently, as well as holistically where they all converge. Here is the detailed breakdown as well as tips to increase each type of speed.

Becoming a Strategic Product Leader, Part 3: Own the Big Picture

We live in a constant battle between tactical and strategic. Without ongoing care, the tactical will always win. Take it upon yourself to bring everyone back on the strategic track to make sure you are doing the right thing.

Why Strategic Focus Is Important Even for a Hairdresser

To succeed in business, radical focus and discipline are needed. You need to be willing to lose some of your business, in order to grow it further.

Reality Isn’t Always What You Want It to Be

But still, as a product leader, it is super important that you deal with it as it is.