Owen Corso

To land Director to CPO jobs, Product Leaders must leverage Executive Search firms. They hold the keys to the hidden job market. Here is a lay of the land. Aakash Gupta and I wrote in depth about this in the Product Leadership Job Search and I followed up recently with the Tech Exec's Job Search Playbook. I recommend both reads. Comment if you want contacts or my thoughts on working with them as a candidate or hiring manager

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A critical mistake many product managers make is getting too wrapped up in the tactical aspects of Agile and feature prioritization. While these are important, neglecting strategic skills like user research and vision development can limit your impact and career growth. Focus on what truly matters to elevate your product and your career.

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⚠️ I often see product managers, especially those early in their careers, making a critical mistake that stifles innovation - coming to teams with predetermined solutions, essentially saying "build/design/write this." ⚡️This fundamentally limits organization's innovation potential! 🌟 Here's why. 🔍 Through years in product management, I've observed that: 💡 1. Engineering teams, given proper context, architect more elegant and scalable approaches than initially envisioned. 🎨 2. Design teams, armed with deep understanding of user psychology, create solutions transcending initial concepts. 📢 3. Content teams, empowered with clear user needs, develop transformative messaging frameworks. 🚀 While not from my experience, here's a story that perfectly captures this challenge: During the Space Race, NASA invested significant resources developing a sophisticated pressurized pen for zero gravity. Meanwhile, another space program simply asked: "Why do we need a pen at all?" And offered... ✏️ Pencils! 📚 This story (while more complex in reality) shows why we shouldn't limit teams with predetermined solutions. Had engineers been told "develop a space pen," they might have missed the simpler solution. 💡 Beyond this simple example lies a deeper truth: 🔹 1. Each professional brings years of domain expertise that we might not possess 🔹 2. Technical teams often see possibilities and constraints we haven't considered 🔹 3. Designers understand user behavior patterns that could lead to breakthrough solutions 🔹 4. Content teams know how to articulate value in ways that might completely transform the product approach 🔹 5. Innovation often emerges from the intersection of different perspectives and expertise ⚡️ By narrowing the solution space to a single person's vision, we miss out on the collective expertise and creative insights that could lead to breakthrough solutions. ⭐️ The truth is: our 💎 greatest value 💎 as product managers comes not from dictating solutions, but from unlocking the full innovative potential of our professional teams through the power of collaboration and trust. What do you think? Share your thoughts below👇

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Productivity tools for product managers: there are lots of them. I get an invite to a new tool 1x per week that is supposed to the be all tool for setting OKR's, creating roadmaps, kicking off projects, and tracking progress but... to anyone who is making these tools can I offer one tiny bit of #productivity advice: Tools are unhelpful if the person using them does not have any of the skills needed to set meaningful OKR's, create adaptable, value-driven roadmaps or know how to kickoff a project and keep people aligned. So what are all these new tools for if someone could pretty much use simple, structured docs & a calendar to do most of their work? Tools can help a PM keep track of things & report out progress but you need to know how to do the work itself: how to evaluate feedback, validate a need against a goal, form a project, scope it, kick it off, issue weekly comms & status reports. If you know how to do the work you can pretty much run an entire department, multiple teams, and transparently, regularly, report to multiple cross-disciplinary leaders in Notion or Coda + gather feedback through every possible channel and method in Productboard or #notion. Boom! Product operations complete! So what's up with all the tools #productmanagers? What is NOT working for you that another tool is the answer? Is it a skill gap? Is it organization, communication, presentation? Talk to me! What is driving the needs for all of these tools? I love a new tool too but really, none are better than these simple, straightforward, delightful ones so what gives? #productmanagement

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Too many product people have been misinformed about what to focus on in your first 30 days in a new role. In a genuine attempt to add value early on, they end up creating a less-than-ideal first impression with their peers & stakeholders. For example, I‘ve heard advice that it is useful to look through user feedback and summarize it for your new team. Early on, when you have very limited context, this is *usually* a bad idea if no one has asked you to do it. There will be plenty of time to send user feedback summaries & takeaways & assign action items afterwards, but it is important to understand this general framework of what to focus on & what to avoid in your first 30 days: https://lnkd.in/gJKHHC-X

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“If there is no clear owner, then it’s the PM that owns it.” I sat down with Esteban Contreras from #ProductState to discuss Product leadership, or Prioritization process at Productboard. We also dug into the concept of Extreme Ownership, which is a principle I firmly believe in. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eVN47mWn #productmanagement #productexcellence #ownership

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Most product managers think "searching for jobs" means one thing, while it means something completely different. If I asked you to sit down and start applying for jobs, what would be the first thing you’d do? If you’re like most people, you’d probably start by searching LinkedIn with some filters, writing a cover letter, customizing your resume, and then hitting submit. But here’s the hard truth: when you’re applying for jobs on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, the odds are stacked against you. You’re competing with 1,000 to 2,000 other applicants, and maybe 10-20 of them are truly qualified for the job. By the time your application reaches the recruiter or hiring manager, it’s just another “me too” submission. Their eyes glaze over. They hate this activity. Why? Because it’s repetitive. It doesn’t stand out. So how do you make your application *powerful*? Think of the last video you watched or ad you clicked on. What grabbed your attention? What made you stay or click? It comes down to two things: 1. **Intentional Intrigue** – something unique that grabs attention right away. 2. **Problem-Solution Match** – a clear, compelling reason to engage further. When it comes to applying for jobs, you need to see it through these lenses. The human brain is a pattern recognition machine. It’s wired to notice what’s different, what interrupts the usual flow. If your application looks like everyone else’s, it blends in. But if it’s unique, it disrupts the pattern—it stands out. Learn from the world of marketing and advertising. To truly stand out, your application needs to be both intriguing and aligned with what the employer is looking for. Break the pattern and show how you uniquely solve their problem. Remember, don’t just follow the crowd. Make sure your application doesn’t look like anyone else’s. That’s how you get noticed.

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Coining ‘enshittification’ is a good first step towards righting the ship. Now we can accurately describe the issue

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The north star metric isn't just a compass guiding us; it's a window into the soul of our product, reflecting the core value we deliver and the profound impact we aspire to have on our users. #NorthStarMetric #ProductManagement #ProductValue #Impact #UserFocus #StrategicDirection #ProductVision #ProductStrategy #MetricsThatMatter #CustomerCentric #ProductGrowth

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Nick is one of the greatest product coaches out there today. 💪 It was a delight getting to chat with him about his journey from product to coaching. He talks about some of the things we don't often hear in Product Management, mental health. His stories about the challenges he's overcome were inspiring and hope to have him on the show again to cover more! If you have any questions for Nick after listening to the episode, comment on this thread so I can bring him back on. 🙌 Product Coffee - productcoffeepodcast.com #productcoaching #productmanagement #transformation

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"In product, we're bombarded by high-level concepts like empowerment, data-driven, product-led, customer-focused, accountability, getting into the details, and high agency. But teams have trouble putting these ideas into practice. Why? And what can you do about it? When I ask people to describe the behaviors these things might entail—what I would observe (see and hear) if these things were happening—I often get blank stares." https://lnkd.in/gFCpYZ7A

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🎯 "The best product visions fail without the right story. Yesterday, I learned why." I had the privilege of hosting Mel McVeigh, former VP of Product at Condé Nast, for a masterclass that transformed how I think about product storytelling. Her framework was nothing short of brilliant. As someone who's interviewed 100+ product leaders on the Product Team Success podcast, I've seen countless approaches to communication. But Mel's systematic method stands out. Here's why her framework is a game-changer: 1. Story Components That Drive Action --Turn roadmap elements into compelling plot points --Transform stakeholders into key characters --Position your vision as the story's destination 2. Strategic Communication Levels --Board level: 3-5 minutes, business impact focus --Leadership level: 20-30 minutes, strategic depth --Team level: Technical details with vision connection 3. Role-Specific Storytelling --CTOs need scalability and integration stories --CMOs want customer impact narratives --CFOs require clear ROI and performance metrics 4. Visualisation Mastery --Use provocations to spark discussion --Create journey maps that bridge present to future --Match visual fidelity to audience needs 5. Implementation Excellence --Pre-brief key stakeholders individually --Build modular story components --Create clear feedback loops The most powerful takeaway? Great product stories aren't just told - they're architecturally designed to drive organisational change while maintaining a consistent core message. 🤔 Which of these elements do you find most challenging in your product storytelling? 💌 DM me if you'd like to join our next masterclass - we've got some amazing speakers lined up! #ProductManagement #Leadership #Storytelling #ProductStrategy

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The title may appear intimidating, but the core message is actually very encouraging and exciting. We are entering an era of creators, whether we refer to ourselves as designers, engineers, or product managers. By mastering the power of AI, we can unlock a new level of autonomy in our ideation and creativity.

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Harris Brown said it - AI can help speed up or eliminate low-level work and iteration. It can't replace creativity or high-level decision making. Folks who know the difference will win the day.

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I like this sentiment and I think it points to psychological safety, but not in a way that we normally think of. People think of psychological safety in terms of inside teams or within reporting structures. Product management is a great example of cross-organizational leadership through influence and persuasion rather than direct managerial control. If you don't make people comfortable raising concerns you will definitely not get the outcomes you expect. Psychological safety seems like such a heavy term, but there are subtle, small things that can make people withdraw, and as John says, people have long memories.

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How can product managers navigate business ambiguity? Business ambiguity is a product manager's ultimate test. Here’s a 5-point guide for product managers to turn ambiguity into opportunity: 1. Embrace Flexibility: Adapt quickly and pivot as new information emerges. Flexibility keeps you responsive and relevant in ever-changing environments. 2. Keep the Vision Clear: Focus on the bigger picture. A strong, compelling vision guides your team through uncertainty, providing direction and purpose even when specifics are murky. 3. Prioritize Communication: Engage in transparent, continuous communication with stakeholders, team members, and customers. Regular updates and open dialogues manage expectations and gather crucial insights. 4. Experiment and Iterate: Adopt a test-and-learn mindset. Small, iterative experiments yield quick insights and refine your strategy with minimal risk. 5. Make Data-Driven Decisions: Use data to inform your choices. Even incomplete data can provide valuable direction and help reduce uncertainty. Trust the numbers, but don’t let them paralyze you. BONUS - Use customer voice as anchor, when data doesn't exist. Regularly engage with end users to understand their needs and pain points, ensuring your product stays aligned with real-world demands. Remember, in the face of ambiguity it is not about having all the answers. Rather, it’s about being flexible yet focussed to navigate the questions to reach the outcomes. #ProductManagement #BusinessAmbiguity #Leadership #Innovation #CustomerFocus #Adaptability

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I look forward to a time when, instead of presenting some internal slide deck or doc, PMs can come to a product review with an actual prototype that execs can play with. I think this time is fast approaching with AI prototyping tools like v0. Nothing beats playing with the actual product.

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Last week, a product leader in our community told me over a catch-up call that they were dreading returning to work in January 🤔 The pressure of hitting Q1 goals while managing team burnout felt overwhelming. Many of us carry this weight into the new year from the old. As someone who's led product teams at Amazon and other major tech companies, I've learned the hard way that success in Q1 sets the tone for your entire year. That's why I'm thrilled to announce our first Top Prods event of 2025: "Stepping into 2025 with Confidence" featuring Rachel Hamlin, Leadership Coach and former Product Manager. Rachel has transformed how product leaders approach performance and resilience. Her unique blend of product management experience and leadership coaching has helped hundreds of professionals thrive under pressure. I've personally spoken to many people in the community who have had Rachel help them out of spaces where they have been blocked and taken their career to new heights. She rocks! In this focused session, you'll discover: --How to build sustainable high-performance habits that stick --Proven frameworks for managing team energy levels --Practical tools to tackle leadership challenges with renewed confidence --Strategies to maintain momentum through Q1 and beyond This is more than another "new year, new you" conversation. Rachel brings battle-tested approaches that work in the real world of product management. 📅 Date: January 8, 2025 ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM UK Time 🎯 Perfect for: Product Leaders ready to make 2025 their breakthrough year This session is open to all people in the Top Prods community. Am posting here as a reminder. (if you're not in it yet and want to know more feel free to dm me) #ProductManagement #Leadership #ProductLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #TopProds

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Lenny's recent episode with Vikrama might be the best podcast for product managers ever. I've never heard someone articulate what it takes to succeed as a PM in such a simple and precise way. Vikrama distilled PM competencies into data, design/research, and technology. PMs must excel in all these areas to get the most out of their careers. There is a need for constant improvement and development across all the competencies. To help PMs to improve I created a GPT. It takes Vikrama's framework and helps PMs understand where they currently sit. It then gives them an action plan to get better. Give it a try and let me know what you think. And if you haven't already be sure to give the podcast a listen first. (https://lnkd.in/g2h3ac-J)

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