This article is an update to two original ones (this and this) I published in 2019. This version is written through the lens of the L.E.A.D. framework and focuses on E - Empower Your Team. If you’re ready to UnLeash the Leader Within by improving everyone’s remote work environment, read on!

In 2019...

This article is part of the Unleash the Leader Within series and focuses on L - Looking Towards the Future, the first pillar of the L.E.A.D. framework. We’ll explore how crafting a compelling “Where To” vision aligns your team and keeps their focus and energy through challenges, setting the foundati...

This article is an update to the original published in 2023. This version is written through the lens of the L.E.A.D. framework and focuses on A - Activate Your Supporters. If you’re ready to UnLeash the Leader Within by mastering executive presence, read on!

Executive presence is the secret sauce ...

Years ago, the tech world was buzzing with a question: “Should product leaders learn to code?”

I wrote a post (often referred to as my tome) back then explaining why I would NEVER learn to code - I didn’t believe coding skills would make me a better leader and still don’t. Fast forward t...

I’ve been coaching product and tech leaders for over a decade.

After all this time, I’ve realized that the most effective leaders all have strong foundations in four key pillars which drive impactful results.

I call these pillars the L.E.A.D. framework:

• Look towards the future
• Empower your tea...

What do product managers do?

For years, I’ve answered this question by saying “we’re the people who decide what to do next”.

But that led to another question… How do we decide what to do next?

It turns out that before we answer that, we must answer two other questions. Together, I call these “The...

WHERE TO: You as a strategic product leader with a clear path to grow your company with intentional, data-driven choices.

WHERE FROM: Struggling with limited growth strategies, defaulting to early ideas or leadership suggestions without exploring alternative options.

WHERE NEXT: Identifying the ri...

Over the years I have shared a bunch of materials related to annual planning. This is not because I love the process, I actually hate it and wish it didn't have to exist. I want to make it more practical and less annoying for product people.

My vision / where to? is that I want product leaders to b...

Revolutionizing 360 Reviews: Evaluate Behavior, Not Skills, for Meaningful Feedback

Where To: Your team getting meaningful, behavior-based feedback that drives growth and improvement.

Where From: Struggling with traditional 360 reviews that lead to confusion and fail to provide actionable insights...

How to Validate Product Assumptions and Make Decisions That Drive Value

Where To: Ensuring your product decisions are aligned with real user needs and market demand… and step 3: PROFIT

Where From: Struggling with simplistic hypotheses and inefficient validation processes, leading to wasted resourc...

WHERE TO: You as a trusted product leader known for your supportive approach.

WHERE FROM: Being overwhelmed by competing demands and lacking trust within the organization.

WHERE NEXT: Sharing a positive attitude and delivering on impactful initiatives, which in turn builds trust and influence in y...

WHERE TO: You as a leader guiding an responsive team that makes autonomous decisions.

WHERE FROM: Struggling with slow decision-making processes that hinder your team's ability to respond quickly to market demands and customer feedback.

WHERE NEXT: Implementing strategies to empower your teams, cr...