It's disappointing.
9 of 10 product organizations are, at best, mediocre.
Teams are hindered rather than empowered, stakeholders’ opinions and customers’ demands replace strategy, and great PMs are stuck in waterfall.
(1/13)
9 of 10 product organizations are, at best, mediocre.
Teams are hindered rather than empowered, stakeholders’ opinions and customers’ demands replace strategy, and great PMs are stuck in waterfall.
(1/13)
You might feel lost.
But it's not hopeless.
Even in the most challenging environments, we can still build, create, innovate, grow, and, most importantly, survive.
9 tactics to overcome challenges and unleash your full potential:
(2/13)
But it's not hopeless.
Even in the most challenging environments, we can still build, create, innovate, grow, and, most importantly, survive.
9 tactics to overcome challenges and unleash your full potential:
(2/13)
1. Measure the problem
Doing things differently than in books isn’t a problem in itself. Make it tangible.
- Does your product grow?
- Are your customers happy?
- Are your employees motivated?
- How fast are you able to deliver value?
(3/13)
Doing things differently than in books isn’t a problem in itself. Make it tangible.
- Does your product grow?
- Are your customers happy?
- Are your employees motivated?
- How fast are you able to deliver value?
(3/13)
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results” – Albert Einstein
(4/13)
(4/13)
2. Understand the root cause
As humans, we like to jump into solutions. While in some cases, the problem might be obvious, in others, it's worth spending some time thinking about it in-depth.
One of my favorite techniques is the 5xWhys.
(5/13)
As humans, we like to jump into solutions. While in some cases, the problem might be obvious, in others, it's worth spending some time thinking about it in-depth.
One of my favorite techniques is the 5xWhys.
(5/13)
3. Ensure transparency
You can't fix most problems alone, but you can make many visible. Keep communicating risks openly and warn about the consequences.
(6/13)
You can't fix most problems alone, but you can make many visible. Keep communicating risks openly and warn about the consequences.
(6/13)
4. Focus on what you can control
It's easy to feel frustrated by factors outside of your control.
But you can’t fix the whole organization. And it’s not your job as a PM.
Focus on your team and how you interact with colleagues, stakeholders, customers, and other teams.
(7/13)
It's easy to feel frustrated by factors outside of your control.
But you can’t fix the whole organization. And it’s not your job as a PM.
Focus on your team and how you interact with colleagues, stakeholders, customers, and other teams.
(7/13)
5. Propose an experiment
People are much more likely to agree to a change if you present it as a local experiment (e.g., one team) so that the risk is limited.
(8/13)
People are much more likely to agree to a change if you present it as a local experiment (e.g., one team) so that the risk is limited.
(8/13)
6. Be a genuine partner
You will have much more influence if people feel:
You are not a threat.
You genuinely want the best for them.
You listen, try to understand their problems, and use their language.
(9/13)
You will have much more influence if people feel:
You are not a threat.
You genuinely want the best for them.
You listen, try to understand their problems, and use their language.
(9/13)
7. Turn feature requests into outcomes
No one wants a feature just for the sake of having a feature. Understand the goal they are trying to achieve and how they would measure the success.
(10/13)
No one wants a feature just for the sake of having a feature. Understand the goal they are trying to achieve and how they would measure the success.
(10/13)
8. Don’t ask permission
Pursuing every change might put you at risk. A common problem is that people assume they need to ask for permission.
I strongly believe in taking action, making decisions, and taking small risks.
(11/13)
Pursuing every change might put you at risk. A common problem is that people assume they need to ask for permission.
I strongly believe in taking action, making decisions, and taking small risks.
(11/13)
9. Own your growth
Do not rely solely on your organization to grow as a professional. Your learning can come from other sources: books, newsletters, listening to podcasts, watching videos, and taking courses.
Actively apply and adapt what you learn in the real world.
(12/13)
Do not rely solely on your organization to grow as a professional. Your learning can come from other sources: books, newsletters, listening to podcasts, watching videos, and taking courses.
Actively apply and adapt what you learn in the real world.
(12/13)
Hope that helps. Stay strong!
Enjoy this?
1. Follow me @PawelHuryn for more
2. Share this thread with your friends
I appreciate it!
(13/13)
Enjoy this?
1. Follow me @PawelHuryn for more
2. Share this thread with your friends
I appreciate it!
(13/13)
https://x.com/PawelHuryn/status/1864371872265023502
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