Catalyst:Ed’s Post

Pivotal. We hear this word a lot. But not everything is pivotal. There are a few pivotal moments in everyone's life. For me, it was in 2019. I had to choose: stay technical or move to senior management. Staying technical meant: 1. Keep doing what I was doing. 2. Stay in my comfort zone and enjoy. 3. Don't push myself for anything new. Moving to senior management meant: 1. Learning new things every day. 2. Doing what I had never done before. 3. Embracing new challenges. But I moved to senior management. I used my tech skills to transform operations. I led teams and mentored future leaders, pushing innovation. It wasn’t just about personal growth—it was about creating real industry change. Challenges made my victories even sweeter. For you, a pivotal moment means seizing your chance. Grab that moment, don’t let it go. Use your skills to make a difference. Lead, innovate, and drive real change. Your impact is going to shape the future.

In life, as in work, the unexpected happens. This Friday, I faced a sudden shift—laid off (along with several of my colleagues). Yet, this weekend was a reminder of the constants that matter: family time. Coaching my son's baseball game, exploring trails, and fishing, followed by a spontaneous midday date with my wife to watch Dune 2. These moments are invaluable. Why am I sharing this with optimism? In my interview I literally told my CEO, "If I were to pass away today, my friends would remember me forever, but my job would be listed by Friday." This philosophy guides me. The decision to part ways is challenging but understandable. I've had the privilege of working with an exceptional team and leadership. Their integrity, skill, and kindness have not only contributed to my professional journey but also supported my family's transition back to the US after years in Germany. For this, I am deeply thankful. With 14 years of experience across the spectrum of product and operations roles—from startups to major corporations—I'm ready to channel this transition into an opportunity. My goal? To lead as a Head of Product or Director of Product Management, building products that enrich lives. The TLDR: - Life is unpredictable - Decisions, even tough ones, come from good people - Balance hard work with moments that truly matter - Pause, plan, and proceed with purpose Here's to the next chapter, where I aim to continue creating with passion and purpose. #productmanagement #productmanager #careertransition #leadership #resilience

Founders should resist title inflation and focus on scope and impact, using "lead" and "head of" titles instead of prematurely awarding C-suite/VP positions. I feel that titles significantly influence perceptions of scope and impact in the tech industry, affecting how individuals are judged and their opportunities for advancement. Especially in early-stage companies, founders should defer giving titles early to avoid unnecessary complexity and ensure roles are meaningful. This is when you need builders and makers, roles do not need to be clearly defined. You might think that so much time spent on promotions and titles places too much importance and focus on silly formalisms. The opposite is actually true. Without a well-thought-out, disciplined process for titles and promotions, your employees will become obsessed with the resulting inequities. BUT, if you structure things properly with a disciplined promotion process, nobody other than you will spend much time thinking about titles.

Many Product Leaders feel insecure about their CVs—I’ve been there too. Here’s how I reframed my own story to address the top concerns: "I've stayed too long at one company." I stayed at some companies for over 4 years, but I was promoted multiple times and never stopped learning. Longevity can highlight high performance and loyalty, especially if you’ve grown in your role. "I've job-hopped." I experimented with different roles to find the best fit, from running a startup to joining a stable growth org. Each move taught me invaluable lessons. "I haven’t worked in Big Tech." I’ve always been drawn to mission-driven, entrepreneurial environments and a good 'fix it' story. While Big Tech is appealing, it never aligned with my core motivations. "I took time out, how do I explain it?" I took 6 months off to have my first child—this is part of my story and needs no further explanation. Behind every insecurity lies a choice that defines your unique journey. Embrace your story. P.S. I'm a Product Leadership Coach helping teams and Product Execs through change. #cv #productleadership #embraceyourstory

Building your early career in tech part 4: Q: How do I get into leadership opportunities to increase my visibility? A: I think this is a false premise. People often think of leadership as this “other” thing, on the other side of the fence, separated from you by some sort of line in the sand or a trial by fire. In reality, leadership is where you are right now. In every role, there’s an opportunity to expand your reach of responsibility and bring more decision making into your bubble of influence. It’s not a matter of if, but rather how, you can extend your bubble and take on more ownership. Some tactical ways of doing this are: 1. What is your manager’s priorities? Can you take on some of more logistical, day-to-day, operational work from their plate and make it better/faster/cheaper/self-serve? 2. Who on your team is always running around doing cool shit? I am sure they need a pair of hands to help. Join them and help in a way where they get more out of you than they have to invest in your ramping up. 3. Look around at your organization - where are the process gaps? Own one of those gaps and build a solution that you maintain and iteratively improve off the side of your desk. 4. Lead in your core work. Make yourself indispensable, not in a “there’s no documentation for this project” but in a “I constantly have great impactful ideas on how to make this product better” way.

🚀 Leading Through Change: A Guide to Growth and Resilience 🚀 I reconnected with a few folks I worked with at #Google amid the recent round of reorgs and layoffs. We discussed all the changes happening and I wanted to summarize some of my philosophy around change for leaders here. Change is inevitable, especially in the fast-paced tech environment. How we perceive and react to change can significantly impact our career and personal growth. As leaders, our job isn't just to manage change but to drive it and turn challenges into substantial growth opportunities for our teams and ourselves. “Growth and comfort do not coexist” - Rometty. This is particularly true in leadership. Here are a few strategies to embrace and lead change effectively: - Develop a Growth Mindset: View changes as opportunities to learn and innovate rather than threats to your comfort and stability. - Communicate Openly and Offer Support: Help your team navigate through changes by fostering open communication and understanding the emotional impacts these changes might carry. - Lead by Example: Show enthusiasm and confidence in the face of change. Your team will likely mirror your reactions and adapt more readily. - Encourage Resilience: Remind your team of past challenges you’ve overcome together and the lessons learned, boosting morale and resilience. Change should not only be managed but embraced as a stepping stone to greater achievements. Let’s not shy away from change, but instead, let’s lead through it. #Leadership #ChangeManagement #GrowthMindset #TechLeadership #Innovation

If you've been waiting for that next product executive role to magically land in your inbox, it's time to take control. Join me for a free workshop on Wednesday -- I'm co-hosting TWO lightning lessons on Maven with top executive recruiters who will share insider tips on landing your next VP or CPO role. 1) The Product Leader's Guide to Executive Search ⏰ 3:00 PM EDT  with Somer Hackley - 20+ yrs Executive Search & Author of Search In Plain Sight 👉 RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gH9YU3S8 2) Unlock the Hidden Product Executive Job Market ⏰ 9:00 PM EDT  with Bobby Gormsen - 20+ yrs leading in executive search firms (True Search, Riviera Partners) and internal talent teams (Etsy, Frame.io, Google) 👉 RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dph36cBD We'll cover how 70% of leadership roles are filled through networking and recruiter relationships, and how you can tap into these unposted opportunities. Attend one or both sessions to gain practical tools and strategies. Let me know if you'll be attending! #productmanagement #salary #jobsearch

****Looking for 12 Rockstars in Tech Ready to Get on the Leadership Track**** I have 12 spots open right now for rockstars in tech (product mgmt, product mkt, engineering, program mgmt) who want to secure their role and get on the fast track to LEADER and Director. We love to work with rockstars who want to be future leaders in the tech industry. Here's what to expect if you are one of them: -We'll coach you on everything from communication to navigating difficult conversations, and tools to effectively influence up, down and across. -We'll build your amazing brand as a leader where you stand apart from the crowd and senior leadership calls you to the strategy table. -We'll show you how to lead in a way where you are seen by senior leaders as a rockstar and yet you are authentically you in the process. -We'll coach you through how to step into leadership, nailing the promotion conversation, and building a roadmap where your career is secure. -And we'll show you how to kick imposter syndrome to the curb and build boundaries so you have a life outside of work. The goal is step into leadership while not stressing out or burning out. If this sounds like you, throw time on my calendar and we can see if we are a good fit to collaborate and work together. I've coached over 550 product rockstars to leadership. Are you ready to be next? Let's go. #womenintech #womeninproduct #productmanagement

Hard work and dedication are key drivers of career success, no matter where you start. By committing to excellence from an entry-level position, you not only build valuable skills but also demonstrate your potential for growth. Embrace every challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve, and your consistent effort will pave the way for advancement and leadership roles. Remember, every step you take in your career is a building block towards achieving your long-term goals. 💪

Every stage in your career is a new opportunity. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a leader in your field, there’s always room to grow, evolve, and redefine your goals. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary? It's in that little extra. It’s pushing past comfort zones, taking that risk on a new technology, or investing in your continuous learning and development. Whether you're exploring new opportunities or advancing in your current role, remember: you're never too old to grow, and every day brings you closer to your next extraordinary moment. #CareerGrowth #DreamBig #ContinuousImprovement