ProductOps at Walmart | Adjunct Professor & Founder of TheFullStackPM | Expert in Product Strategy, Leadership & Operations | Transforming Teams through Innovation & Collaboration | Passionate about Growth & Coaching
In the evolving landscape of product management, a concerning trend is emerging globally—increasingly, product leaders are being appointed without firsthand experience as individual contributors (ICs) within the discipline. This phenomenon is not just a localized issue but a challenge I have observed across the industry, highlighting a deeper systemic problem. I often find myself still justifying the fundamental role and impact of product teams. This ongoing need for justification underscores a gap in understanding and leveraging the strategic potential of product management in driving organizational vision. Beks highlights the root of this issue, in my opinion. A disconnect in leadership roles. Unlike well-established functions such as technology, finance, or marketing, where leaders typically have substantial direct experience in their respective fields, product management is still in a phase of defining its pathways to leadership. This lack of experienced leadership is akin to a scenario where a CTO or CFO lacks foundational experience in their domains—an unlikely and unacceptable situation in those fields. Furthermore, she adds that the rise of "Product Gurus"—centralized thought leaders often removed from the day-to-day realities of the role—exacerbates the problem. Their theoretical and sometimes purist approaches to product management frequently clash with the practical, nuanced realities required on the ground. Effective product leadership necessitates a blend of theoretical knowledge and substantial practical experience—qualities that only come from years of being in the trenches of product development and management. At NSPYR N8N, I recognize the critical need for seasoned leaders who can bridge this gap. This platform is committed to transforming skilled product managers into visionary product leaders who are well-equipped to lead with empathy, innovation, and strategic insight. We understand that to truly lead a product team to success, one must have lived the challenges and triumphs of the role firsthand. #empathy Join us in reshaping the future of product leadership, where experienced, insightful, and empathetic leadership is the norm, not the exception. Let's elevate the discipline of product management together, building on a foundation of real experience and strategic execution. #ProductManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #NSPYRMe #TechLeadership #Innovation
CPO, VP of Product | Founder The Female Product Lead | Passionate about: ClimateTech | Empowering Female Product Leaders of today & tomorrow | Advocate of Mental Health & Wellbeing for Product professionals
I am baffled - utterly baffled that way into two decades of the discipline of modern software product management we are STILL defining our role, what we do, how we do it and what this role should be for the companies we work for and the people we work with!! I have a theory on why this is…. The multitude of senior product leaders who have not grown up in the discipline, leading from the top whilst not really understanding WHAT product is and how it should be led Do you have a view of WHY we are still explaining what we do and the value of our roles? https://lnkd.in/eQF3qwnx
Senior Managing Director
4mo✨Stephen C. Kincaid✨ Very insightful. Thank you for sharing