How to protect your team from founder/CEO idea bombs
Hint: Take a hint from the Backstreet Boys.
This is a special post in a series I’m writing about Conscious Communication.
I’ve been writing a lot about the challenges Product Leaders face with their leadership teams, specifically founders/CEOs. Often I’m hearing that Product Leaders are suffering because their founders are:
Deep in the weeds of the product and, let’s put it nicely, have their hands ON the roadmap.
Out of touch with the realities of the product team - both the technical capabilities of the product and the technical skills (and limitations) of the team.
Chasing big launch moments rather than real customer problems and promising repeatable launch moments to the board.
And often, Product Leaders are caught in the crossfire, holding up the shit umbrella up so that the leadership team doesn’t derail and demotivate the team.
It’s a hard knock life for a Product Leader.
Enter: Conscious Communication
WTF is Conscious Communication?
Conscious communication is a mindful, intentional way to communicate effectively. It’s a means of conveying your message thoroughly with an emphasis on human touch.
It’s the answer to, how do I get my leadership team to understand the complexities of what they’re asking me to do?
It’s the way in which you do it.
It’s careful, compassionate and it’s strategic.
For the next few weeks I’m going to drop some conscious communication tips right into your inbox.
To help you reset for a productive and less political Q3.
To give you the confidence you’ve lost leading your team in H1.
To bring some peace of mind back to your work.
Tip One
The next time you get a rogue request from your founder or CEO - don’t panic!
Go deeper and ask why.
Ask your leader to whiteboard and talk through their vision.
Get them to answer these key questions so you can prioritize the work and consider the trade offs fairly:
Who is this for?
What is the core problem?
What does this unlock for us as a business?
Why is this more important than what we’re working on?
Consider treating your leader like a customer.
Instead of frustration, meet them with deep curiosity.
*See a vibe shift.*1
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Want more of where this came from?
I’m sharing a framework I use with all of my clients: "Managing Up with Conscious Communication"—a transformative approach designed to enhance your executive presence and elevate your leadership skills.
Hi - I’m Jori and I’m a Product Coach. Here’s how to work with me ↩️
I work with Product Leaders and their teams to unlock their biggest career moments. If you’re looking for support - drop me a note, I’d love to connect. 🤝
I co-host Product Leadership Breakfast NYC, a monthly product breakfast series to bring together curated groups of PM leaders to connect and share learnings and insights over casual breakfast. If you live in NYC or find yourself passing through, join us! ☕
Cringing as I write this. Am I just bleeding millennial on this post?