Developers, Designers, Product Managers and leaders always ask me for the secret to getting promoted.
The most effective product leaders demonstrate leadership qualities long before any formal promotion.
It’s a common misconception that leadership roles are the starting point for true influence within an organization. Waiting for a title to lead can mean missed opportunities!
Here’s what successful product leaders do differently:
They Lead Through Action: They don’t wait for an invitation to solve problems. Instead, they see an opportunity and gather the necessary resources and teams to tackle it head-on.
They Influence Through Expertise: True product leaders have a deep understanding of their market and the technical challenges their teams face. This expertise naturally positions them as leaders, guiding strategic decisions that drive the product forward.
They Build Consensus: Leadership in product teams isn’t about dictating terms but about building consensus and alignment across various functions. This ensures that when decisions are made, they are executed efficiently and effectively.
Stephen R. Covey, renowned author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, captures this ethos well: "Leadership is a choice, not a position." True leaders emerge by choice through their actions and influence, not just through their titles.
Here's what you can do right now:
Form a cross-functional guild, around a topic that will help see customers and your business
Be the lead for the next feature that the team is developing
Form a task force to implement an operational improvement
Need ideas? Ask other people what could we do to make our lives and our customers' lives easier?
💡 Remember: Leadership is earned through actions, not granted through titles. Start leading today—step up, take initiative, and drive your team towards common goals.
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