Learn how to lead like a Pro from product managers
Learn from Product Managers' Actionable Leadership Tips
Software and digital product managers are responsible for leading cross-functional teams and solving real problems for customer. However, as they advance in their careers, many software product managers aspire to become people managers, leading larger teams and shaping the direction of their organizations. To help aspiring people managers, I've compiled actionable leadership tips from successful product managers. Pro tip: These tips are also relevant for aspiring leaders without a product background 😉
Embrace servant leadership
One of the most effective leadership styles for software product managers is servant leadership. This leadership style emphasizes putting the needs of your team members first and empowering them to reach their full potential. Instead of micromanaging your team, focus on creating a culture of trust and respect, where team members feel empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work. By empowering your team, you'll not only build a stronger team, but also achieve better results.
But watch out: The team needs to be ready to accept the responsibility, and it is your task to get them there.
Set clear goals and expectations
As a people manager, it's important to set clear goals and expectations for your team. This involves defining what success looks like (Goals! KPIs to measure progress!), communicating your expectations to your team, and holding them accountable for delivering results. Just like you set goals for your product, you should also set goals for your team and for yourself.
By setting clear goals and expectations, you'll provide your team with a clear sense of direction and purpose, which will help them stay motivated and focused.
Communicate effectively
Effective communication is essential for any people manager. You need to be able to communicate your vision, goals, and expectations clearly and concisely to your team. Additionally, you need to be able to listen actively to your team members, understand their needs and concerns, and provide them with the feedback and guidance they need to succeed.
Foster a culture of innovation
As a software product manager, you're already familiar with the importance of innovation in your work. However, as a people manager, it's your job to foster a culture of innovation within your team and your organization. This involves encouraging your team members to take risks, experiment, and learn from failure.
Additionally, it involves creating an environment where diverse perspectives and ideas are welcomed and valued. By fostering a culture of innovation, you'll be able to create products, but also departments and organizations that are fit for the future and drive business growth.
Lead by example
Finally, as a people manager, it's important to lead by example. This involves modeling the behaviors and values that you want to see in your team members. For example, if you want your team members to be accountable for their work, you need to be accountable for your own work.
Similarly, if you want your team members to communicate effectively, you need to communicate effectively yourself. By leading by example, you'll be able to create a culture of excellence and inspire your team members to do their best work.
What I read
As usual, I will list some of the best articles I read on the Internet. I will keep a list of the best articles (currently >800) at https://www.digital-product-management.com. These are today’s picks:
Ways to Utilize Other Departments in User Research: 12 ways to work with other departments to further your research efforts.
What does an awesome pricing page look like? Pricing pages are crucial in converting visitors/free users to paid customers. This article lists important attributes of every pricing page.
You don't need Scrum. You just need to do Kanban right. Scrum is a manager’s training wheels: it prevents them from bruising their knees, but also prevents their teams from being as fast and dynamic as they could be.