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- The Power of Summary
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Create Summary as a Leadership Tool
Hello Product Leaders!
A few days ago, I caught up with other product leaders I will be presenting with during the NYC Product-Led Summit conference on March 21st, 2024. We chatted about how we got into product management, this ‘tough’ job with many conflicting challenges.
It's hard because we need to be good at different things that don't always go together, like facts and feelings, big vision and details, and numbers and people skills.
With all of that, how can we lead cross-functional teams to deliver great outcomes to our users?
Well…There's a simple tool to help us think with clarity and lead teams effectively.
Now let’s dive in.
Today at a glance
In Case You Missed Them
👉️ Career cheat codes for product leadership (part 2) (Link)
👉️ Career cheat codes for product leadership (part 1) (Link)
👉️ Build my Executive Presence as a Product Manager (Link)
The Break-Free Paradox
Have you ever struggled to escape from thinking the same patterns over and over, even though you were trying your best to find new patterns to replace the old ones?
Right…It’s hard and it does not work.
So, even though you try to find and fix different patterns, you can still get stuck in the same loops, stopping you from really moving forward.
One magic solution, “write down a summary” when you are stuck in a repetitive cycle.
1- Get out of the loop
As a product leader, when you're stuck in a loop, it's important to break free quickly.
There are different types of loops you might encounter:
First, there's the loop in your own thoughts, like when you're trying to figure out a tough decision about your product strategy, new feature, or organization structure, but things just don't click.
Then, there's the loop with others, like when you and your colleagues, your manager(s), your CEO, your reports, and even your customers can't agree on the next steps, or when your ideas aren't getting through to them.
Lastly, there's the loop within a group where no one can agree on the best way forward.
Once you recognize these loops, you can use a tool to help you get out of them and move forward.
2- Create Powerful Summaries
To use the tool "Create a Summary," you just need to write down what you and your team have agreed on so far, and what still needs to be figured out.
For example, if you're sorting out your company's structure with your CEO or boss.
Jot down what you're sure about, like needing a product manager for each area and the WHY.
Then, list what you're still unsure about, like how to keep teams independent and autonomous and so on…
This helps everyone focus on common ground instead of just disagreements.
It helps clear up your thoughts and you can share it with others easily.
✅ Focus on what you agree with, not what you don't.
3- Debate it with others
Now, the next step, it's important to share your summary with them and talk it out.
Here's why it's helpful.
Once you've organized your thoughts with the summary, it helps others understand better.
They might agree with some parts and help clarify their own ideas.
Even if they don't fully agree, having your ideas in front of them makes it easier to see where they disagree.
If your summary includes their thoughts too, it shows you're listening and makes them more likely to help you understand their perspective.
Remember, it's normal not to agree at first. The process that makes you stronger as you build alignment as you go.
4- Common language
Creating a common language and structure is key.
A good summary acts like a guidepost.
It helps us remember where we agreed before and lets us explore topics deeply. If we get stuck in another loop, the summary helps us see things from a new angle.
This clarity makes meetings more productive.
Sometimes, we find questions we can't answer. That's okay. It shows us what we need to research before making decisions.
Plus, with a common language in the company or team or exec teams, we all speak the same language, so it's easier to work together.
Summaries are powerful leadership tools and help everyone decide, even if you're not the one making the final call.
Keep creating them, and people will see your value in decision-making so that you will always have a seat at the table as a leader.
That’s it for today!
Key Takeaways
Creating summaries as a convincing tool
Break Free from Loops:
Identify different types of loops and be self-aware of them to move forward in decision-making.
Use Summaries Effectively:
Write down agreements and uncertainties to clarify decisions, then share them to encourage dialogue and find common ground.
Engage in Debate:
Communicate summaries with colleagues to foster understanding and resolve disagreements progressively.
Establish a Common Language:
Summaries serve as guideposts, enhancing clarity in decision-making processes, while also building a common language for collaboration.