Strategic leadership is a vital skill set for product managers, enabling them to take a vision for a product and successfully bring it to life. It requires a combination of long-term strategic thinking, research, and tactical execution that helps product managers and product owners understand their markets and customers.
Being able to lead strategically demands several specific attributes, such as clear & focused communication, a comprehensive understanding of the target market, exemplary problem solving and relentless collaboration.
Strong Communicator
Strategic leadership requires strong communication skills to ensure that everyone is aligned and motivated. Product managers and product owners should be able to communicate their vision, plans, and strategies to the rest of the team.
Focused communication is crucial for primary two-fold reasons. First, negotiate with stakeholders to create win-win opportunities. Second, effective delegation for efficient tactical execution. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
Comprehensive Assessor
Strategic leadership requires the ability to assess market opportunities, create plans to take advantage of those opportunities and develop the product in response.
Product owners should focus on understanding their customers and the market. They should use customer-centric research and data to gain insights into user needs, preferences, and behaviours. This data can then be used to create innovative, customer-centric products.
Being able to evaluate potential opportunities and risks, and to make and execute timely decisions, are further important skills associated with a successful and effective product manager.
Strategic Thinker
An impactful product manager must be able to assess the situation and make plans for the execution of their strategies. They must also be able to consider short-term tactics, but still be able to keep an eye on the bigger picture. Strategic leadership involves the ability to think forward and take a proactive, strategic approach to product management. They must also identify and capitalise on opportunities while minimising risks.
Exemplary Problem-solver
Equally, successful strategic leadership requires exemplary problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to develop mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders.
Product managers should be able to consider a variety of options to find the most progressive and profitable product solutions. They should also be able to identify and manage innovation, complexity, and risk. Aside from clear and focused communication, the ability to identify and anticipate the objectives, needs and wants of stakeholders is a key aspect of strategic leadership.
Relentless Collaborator
Strategic leadership is far more complex than simply being a collaborator. However, being a relentless collaborator is quintessential as it enhances a product professional’s ability to lead and collaborate effectively. The ability to identify and anticipate the objectives, needs and wants of stakeholders is a key aspect of strategic leadership.
In conclusion, Strategic Leadership is a key skill for any product manager and requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and intuition. Mentoring and encouraging product managers to develop their strategic leadership skills is essential for their success.