How can product managers develop the courage to make bold decisions and stay ahead of the curve? In this episode of Product Talk hosted by , What’s the secret to becoming a standout product leader? In this episode hosted by Justin Leibow, News Corp VP of Strategic Products Nicole Castillo and winner of the Products That Count Product Leader Awards shares how cultivating a distinctive personal brand and developing a unique product management style is crucial for product managers looking to excel in their careers. Nicole emphasizes the importance of identifying and embracing what makes you unique as a product leader.
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Show Notes
- Customer service experience can provide valuable empathy and humility for product managers.
- Balancing stakeholder and customer expectations requires transparency, humor, and comfort with being uncomfortable.
- Sunsetting underperforming products requires a logical, data-driven approach and empathy for the team.
- Approaching AI with a focus on solving real business problems, not just implementing the technology.
- Fostering psychological safety and a culture where “failure” is seen as learning.
- Encouraging team members to take risks and supporting them when things don’t go as planned.
- Identifying and embracing what makes you unique as a product leader.
- Developing a memorable personal brand or approach to product management.
- Advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the organization.
- Asking for opportunities to work on passion projects beyond core responsibilities.
- Bringing an opinion but remaining open-minded and humble.
- Sharing personal experiences and “battle scars” to relate to and empower team members.
- Focusing on passion, growth mindset and openness when hiring product talent.
- Removing the stigma around “failure” and reframing it as an opportunity to learn.
- Leveraging humor and candor to navigate difficult conversations.
- Proactively driving initiatives that align with personal values and the greater good.
- Connecting with other passionate individuals across the organization to amplify efforts.
- Storytelling and creating memorable associations to articulate one’s product approach.
- Continuously evolving skills to maximize emerging technologies like AI-powered tools.
- Taking responsibility and “taking the hit” to create psychological safety for the team.
About the speaker
Nicole Castillo has spent over 10 years in product and technology roles across industries including telecommunications, real estate, and media. As the VP of Strategic Products at News Corp, she oversees mobile products across global brands like Dow Jones, New York Post, News Corp Australia, and News UK, while also spearheading the company's efforts in artificial intelligence and Innersource. Nicole is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly in fostering a strong global community for Women in Tech at News Corp. Passionate about mentorship, Nicole dedicates time to supporting women pursuing careers in product and technology. She embraces the "Mary Poppins of Product" persona, bringing humor and a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious attitude to the field. As a mother of two, she juggles her personal and professional responsibilities with energy, purpose, and a desire for balance. Driven by a combination of relentless determination and optimism, Nicole has a talent for transforming challenges into opportunities. Her leadership, rooted in empathy and resilience, cultivates environments where teams can innovate and excel. Known for her communication skills, Nicole earns the confidence of leaders, stakeholders, and teams alike. She is a product leader with extensive experience guiding cross-functional teams from planning to launch, and a champion of inclusive, diverse environments that drive success. As an intrapreneur, Nicole has built internal programs that inspire innovation and cultural enrichment, while her mentorship helps others excel in product leadership. Passionate about learning and development, Nicole strives to create lasting impact, lead with strategic vision, and foster a culture of excellence.She welcomes connections with professionals committed to growth and fostering transformative change.
About the host
Certified Digital Product Manager (CDPM), Certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) and ScrumMaster (CSP) Specialties: Product Development, Product Management, Insurance, Banking, Financial Transformation, Process Improvement, Business Risk