Product managers are often likened to CEOs of their product lines. While the analogy isn’t perfect, it provides some rationale for learning from CEOs. What specifically? Leadership, strategy, and influence come to mind. I was thinking about that as I…
Elevate Your Kindness
Last year I overheard a conversation. A woman told her friend she would practice random acts of kindness for Lent. I liked the idea and posted a blog about it then. Well, it’s Lent again. Time to dust off the kindness…
Your Gut-Brain Connection
Do you get “butterflies” before a major event? Or feel like your stomach is “tied in knots” after an argument? Or suffer through a digestive system that’s “out of whack” because of stress? You’re not alone. The gut-brain connection is…
Autonomy: another cornerstone of creativity
(Creative autonomy is the 5th of a 9-part series on creativity traits.) Curious: passionate for fresh knowledge; desiring to learn new things Resilient: capable of overcoming setbacks; able to take risks; ambitious Evaluative: willing to experiment and evolve your creativity…
Defy Best Practices
In a world that’s always evolving, magic bullets or best practices don’t guarantee product management success. They’re all about what worked in the past. In a specific context. Some have anchors, and others have wings. Note the words I used…
What happened to moderation?
I remember growing up believing that moderation was a good thing. Eating and drinking were rarely good or bad per se, as long not done to excess. Sunshine was a healthy source of vitamin D, if exposure was limited to…
Contemplate a Smile
It’s cold outside. So, I opted for warm and fuzzy contemplation topics this week. Something to make you smile or say, “huh?” Let’s start with animal sounds. What Does a Rooster Say? I was listening to A Way with Words…
How to Unstick Your Negative Emotions
Have you ever gotten pine pitch on your hands while putting up a Christmas tree? Or blobbed adhesive on your fingers while gluing two things together? Or stepped on a piece of gum? Not only is the gooey residue hard…
Evaluate and tinker to improve creativity
(Creative tinkering is the 4th of a 9-part series on creativity traits.) Curious: passionate for fresh knowledge; desiring to learn new things Resilient: capable of overcoming setbacks; able to take risks; ambitious Evaluative: willing to experiment and evolve your creativity…
Product Management 2020
What should product managers focus on during the 2020s? Here are a few trends to consider.