Lynne Levy, founder of the Inspired Product Leader program, shares principles for product managers moving into leadership. Technical skills are easy to learn, but people skills are what set you apart. Focus on what you control: mindset, communication, reactions. Ask for promotions directly, leave toxic environments, and get comfortable with discomfort to grow.
Chapters
Hi everybody, it's Lynne Levy from the Inspired Product Leader program. I help product managers move into leadership, level up, and love what they do. So I get asked all the time, what are my product leadership principles? What do I believe? So I thought we'd just run through my list real quick. So number 1, to succeed in the world of product, People skills are critical. I'm gonna say it, tech is easy. Tech is easy to under— to learn. We have lots of frameworks and processes. People are hard. I want you to enjoy the journey. We can't live our life just waiting for an endpoint. We have to love what we are doing every single day. I, number 3, I want you to focus on building connections with others. We spend so many hours at work. Get to know your colleagues. The next one, focus on what is your passion. If you're passionate about the environment, then think about moving into, into tech that also focuses on the environment. I want you to focus on what excites you versus a specific goal. The next one, if you are working for a toxic leader or a toxic culture, leave. No questions asked, period. The next one, I want you to focus on what you can control: your communication, your mindset, how you feel. You cannot control the mood of other people. If you work for a toxic boss, no matter what, he or she will continue to be toxic. All you can control is your reaction. I also, I want you to always be curious. Always be asking questions and learning. The next one, don't settle for a title below your skill set. Titles matter. Do not step back. The next one, you can be both assertive and confident and kind at the same time. I don't want anyone to make you feel small. Okay, the next one. Hope is not a career strategy. You do not get things you don't ask for. I want you to ask for that promotion, ask for that raise. This one is probably my biggest mantra, is be comfortable being uncomfortable. Push your edges. It's the only way to level up. And then last, I just want you to pause. What do you want? What do you really want and how can you, you do one thing today to move forward? Again, it's Lynne Levy from The Inspired Product Leader. I coach only product managers, and if you're ready to move up in the career, in your career, and start loving what, what you do, then set up some time and we'll have a conversation. We'll build out a strategy to help you move forward and move into action starting today. Okay. Thank you all. Everybody have a wonderful day.
