Appfire Fmr CPO on Strategic Vision and Team Building

How does hands-on technical experience shape the journey to becoming a CPO? In this podcast hosted by Boston New Technology CPO Shweta Agrawal, Appfire Fmr CPO Andy Boyd will be speaking on strategic vision and team building in product management. Andy shares his unconventional journey, insights on developing long-term product strategies, and the critical skills needed to lead product teams across different organizational stages.

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Show Notes

1. Product management often has an unconventional career path, not a traditional linear progression
2. Impact and intellectual challenge are key motivators for product leaders
3. Understanding market, customer needs, and competitive positioning is foundational for product managers
4. Product leaders should think in 3-5 year strategic horizons, not just quarterly metrics
5. Leadership skills evolve from technical expertise to strategic vision as you progress in your career
6. Effective communication and storytelling are critical for rallying cross-functional teams
7. Domain expertise is less important than leadership and strategic thinking at the C-suite level
8. Financial acumen is crucial for product leaders aspiring to executive roles
9. Learning can come from mentorship, online courses, books, and practical experience
10. Promote from within when possible to maintain team motivation and demonstrate career growth opportunities
11. AI knowledge is becoming increasingly important across product management roles
12. Leading through influence requires understanding both business and personal motivations
13. The first 90 days as a new CPO should focus on learning, creating a working thesis, and getting team input
14. Product jargon should be minimized when communicating with executives and board members
15. Emotional intelligence and understanding team members’ goals are key to effective leadership
16. Set clear goals and maintain regular business review cadences to drive strategy execution
17. Confidence and presence are as important as technical skills in executive roles
18. Product leaders should practice skills of the next career level before being promoted
19. External hiring might be necessary for fresh perspectives or specific domain expertise
20. Continuous learning and adaptability are essential for product leadership success