Organisational Tipping Points: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Growing Companies
As leaders, we celebrate the milestones of our growing companies. We toast to new clients, product launches, and expanding teams. Yet, amidst the excitement, there's an undeniable shift that happens at certain stages and a truth that we must acknowledge: companies change as they grow. It's as if an unseen hand shifts the very essence of our organisations at certain points. I call these moments ‘tipping points’ - crucial junctures where the dynamics of communication, decision-making, and even the company's shared identity undergo subtle but profound transformations.
How has the Chief Product Officer role evolved in the past decade?
The role of the Chief Product Officer (CPO) has undergone significant evolution over the past decade, reflecting broader shifts in the business landscape, technological advancements, and changing market demands. This evolution can be observed across several dimensions, including the role's scope, the background and skills required, the industries in which CPOs are prevalent, and the strategic importance of the position within organisations.
Why Servant Leadership Only Gets You Halfway There
In a myriad of leadership theories, servant leadership has been lauded for its focus on the growth and well-being of individuals and the communities to which they belong. However, the classic approach to servant leadership may not fully address the complexities of modern organisational needs. This article argues that while servant leadership provides a solid foundation, it is not a comprehensive strategy unless it evolves to empower team members to lead autonomously and confidently from various positions.
Celebrating Unsung (and oft-Forgotten) Women: Pioneers, Inventors, and Innovators.
As we commemorate International Women's Day, it's crucial to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroines whose contributions have significantly shaped the realms of business, finance, software, and technology. Often overshadowed and undercredited, these pioneers have not only innovated and invented but have also demonstrated that the world needs more women in leadership roles.
Diversity is Essential for Much-Loved Products and Well-Run Companies
When the going gets tough, the tough get… more diverse? Well, perhaps. The composition of product management teams is crucial for driving innovation and ensuring success. Diverse teams - comprising individuals with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and work styles - are essential.
8 Must-Read Books in 2024 for Leadership, Technology, and Product
As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead, staying informed and inspired is key for any professional. I've compiled a list of eight transformative books that are a must-read for anyone keen to read more on leadership, technology, and product. Some of these are new, some are much older, all of them are books I dip into regularly.
The Future of Product Management: What to Expect in 2024
As we step into a new year, Product is poised to undergo significant transformation (again). In a field that's constantly evolving, staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. This article examines some key trends and changes I expect will shape Product Management in the months ahead. Drawing inspiration from Product Marketing Alliance, Pendo, Product Tank, and Mind the Product, let's dive in…
Progressing through the Product Team
In the years I’ve spent as Chief Product Officer I’ve worked with hundreds of product professionals to hone their skills, develop their progression, and build their careers. This is an introduction to how I see roles and responsibilities build in a well-structured and cleanly-operated Product team.
The Product Manager Toolkit
When I hire Product Managers, of any level, I use this toolkit to assess their strengths - and potential - in a number of areas. This helps me benchmark, share my view of “what good looks like”, and create longer term development pathways for team members. I share it here in case it’s useful for you as you build and develop your own Product team.
The Top 20 Attributes for a Product Leader
When asked “what makes a great Product person?” I usually like to think about the attributes, teachings, and models spoken about by some of the great product voices I’ve followed in my own career. This list changes from time to time but my current top 20 includes a rich aggregation of qualities that would make any product leader stand out in their field.