lounge
Travel Woes
Product Management means travel is needed at times. That requirement might be shrinking, but it will never be zero. Travel brings woes, and challenges.
Jeffery Lebowski
leadership
Difference between an IC and a Manager (or leader)
The "up or out" mentality seems to be sticky, yet it can be damaging to the organization. Please, make it possible for satisfied long-term individual contributors to be properly rewarded.
management
Executive class indeed - another concrete example
Management consultants (especially McKinsey) were instrumental to the hollowing out of the American middle class, leaving a widening chasm in the workforce, and little optimism
leadership
Textbook Case: Human Resources circles the wagons
Human Resources is there to protect the corporation, and the executives. All else is window dressing, including the shameful practice of intimidation, retaliation, and marginalization
leadership
So, you want to be an executive…
Executives are not like us, they are a breed apart, groomed from birth, or tapped for the track at the beginning of their career.
leadership
Human Resources is not your friend
Human Resources 'feels' like it ought to be a strong partner of product management, but step back and keep their true mission in mind before you open up too deeply with them
lounge
"Gifted" Children, and the Burden
Being flagged as "Gifted" was probably the biggest "fuck you" in my early childhood, leaving me an empty shell in my late middle age.
Essentials
Product Management in a nutshell
At its core, product management is simple. Tied to the lifecycle of the product, different phases require different strengths.
management
Executive Tours
Leadership changes bring new executives, new strategy, and boatloads of uncertainty. When the new leader shows up, the old ingratiates themselves, and frankly embarrass themselves. Don't fall in this trap
Product Management
The miss
Calls for product management to "do something" when bookings are light are common, but corrosive. Product management has few knobs with quick response.
Product Management
A new one for the Dude
Building a pipeline of talent with college grads is smart, but if you don't structure the department and leadership for success, you're gonna have a bad time.
Product Management
Market Research
If you pay for market research, and it confirms your suspicions, you might be deluded. Product Management needs to keep their eyes open