Connecting you with the thought leaders in Product Management

Leadership is a critical element to successful product management. In this episode, Michael talks with Steve Farber about the importance of creating a culture of leadership. They discuss Extreme Leadership (”otherwise known as ‘real’ leadership”) and its odd mixture of fear and exhilaration. If the only reason you can think of to not do something is because it’s scary, that’s an indication that you should do it.

Michael and Steve also discuss Greater Than Yourself, Steve’s new leadership book. As leaders it’s your job to not just be helpful but to lift others above yourself. They discuss the three tenets of Greater Than Yourself:

• Expand yourself
• Give yourself
• Replicate yourself

Steve gives excellent advice on becoming a great leader.

You can read more about leadership on Steve’s blog and at GreaterThanYourself.com

 

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Successful product managers understand the need to work effectively with the people in other parts of the organization. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse Michael talks with Saeed Khan about the six characteristics of great product managers:

• Don’t just sound smart; act smart and be smart
• Be technical without becoming a technologist
• “Spidey-sense” instincts are good; hard data is way better
• The 4 Cs of Leadership: credibility, commitment, communication and courage
• Be an integrator, translator and communicator; don’t be a terminator
• Own the product from conception to completion and beyond

Saeed and Michael also discuss the need for product managers to have a business mindset.

Saeed writes with two friends at the popular blog On Product Management.

 

 Six Characteristics of Product Managers [30:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The process of becoming a successful product manager shares many elements of learning a craft. In this episode, Michael talks with Bob Corrigan about topics somewhat off the traditional “beaten path” to product management. Bob shares how he came to product management through the sales/SE ranks, and how product managers can work better with sales. They discuss the ‘craft’ aspect of product management. Until recently no universities had programs focused on product management. As a result, most PMs are there because they learned the skills from a mentor or someone else who helped them learn the craft. Perceptive product managers look for opportunities to train and develop newcomers in the trade.

Bob and Michael discuss how three jewels of Taoism apply to product management:

• Compassion
• Moderation
• Humility

They also discuss how product managers can and should lead their companies to success.

You can read Bob’s musings on his excellent blog ack/nak.
Also check out Bob’s new podcast, The Bob Swami Show (guaranteed to make you laugh).

 

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The role of product management is central to value creation. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast Michael talks with Art Petty about his experience as a product manager. Art discusses his experience of more than two decades and “a million mistakes” in product management and leadership. This experience has helped Art develop people from individual contributors to strategic contributors to executives.

Michael and Art discuss four key areas to help product managers realize their potential:

• Strategic thinking skills
• Core leadership skills
• Development of executive presence
• Process optimization across the organization.

They also discuss what Art looks for when hiring product managers, books that product managers should be reading and the importance of building leadership credibility.

To learn more about Art and his programs visit his Management Excellence blog at artpetty.com.

 

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Product managers work closely with people in many different groups. The exposure to diverse functions within a company draws individuals in to product management. According to Greg Strouse, product managers make the best C-level executives because of the wide-ranging experience to which they are exposed.

In this episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast Michael talks with Greg Strouse, the XOD (’Executive on Demand’) about his experience working in product management and how it helped him to become the XOD. Greg has done some great things in his career and gives sage advice to aspiring product managers. He and Michael discuss important topics including education, the importance of conversation and the relevance of product management. He also answers the question: “If you could go back and change anything in your career, what would it be?” You will love his answer.

You can read Greg’s musings on his excellent blog Tales from an XOD.

 

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Product managers are the messengers to the market for their companies. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast Michael talks with the strategic product manager himself, Steve Johnson. Through his years of experience as a software developer, SE, sales rep and then product manager, Steve has gained a deep understanding of technology products, from idea to release to success. Steve shares his experience in his typically humorous and instructive manner.

Steve and Michael discuss important principles of product management such as being more systematic, creating standardized demos and sales kits, and making decisions based on market facts. Steve shares his passion for the importance of win/loss analysis and discusses its strategic importance. Steve and Michael also discuss important trends for product managers in the next three to five years, and they throw in a few tips for executives.

You can read about Steve’s latest ideas on his blog and download his eBook The Strategic Role of Product Management from his web site.

 

 The Strategic Product Manager [31:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Product managers are the leaders of their product teams. In this inaugural episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast, Michael invites Dr. Paul Jenkins (known to many as “Dr. Paul”) to discuss the importance of leadership in product management. Through his experience as a clinical psychologist, speaker and coach, Dr. Paul brings great insight to the “people” skills of product management.

Michael and Dr. Paul discuss five factors of leadership that will improve your ability to lead people and increase your effectiveness as a product manager. They also discuss two important books:
The 5 Laws That Determine All of Life’s Outcomes by Brett Harward and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
by Patrick Lencioni.

You can listen to Dr. Paul’s excellent podcast at Live On Purpose Radio.

 

 Five Factors of Leadership [31:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thank you for visiting the Product Management Pulse blog — the home of the Product Management Pulse podcast. The purpose of this podcast is to connect you with the thought leaders in product management.

The Product Management Pulse follows the latest trends in technology product management, gives you ideas about what are people doing to improve product management, and helps you discover things that will improve your efforts as a product manager.

Check back often for new podcasts and posts that will give you great information.