Check out my self-serve class on OKRs! When it comes to measuring success, people tend to gravitate toward […]
Why Qualitative Data Belongs in Your Key Results
AI Can Synthesize Data for You—But Should It?
AI is fantastic at synthesizing data. It can process vast amounts of information, surface trends, and summarize research […]
From Jobs to Careers to a Calling
There was a time when I thought I’d be a painter. I went to art school, spent hours […]
Manage your Life Like You Manage a Product: Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exit—and Reflect
“Life doesn’t follow a straight path” is a cliché, but as my mama always says, “They’re called truisms […]
Continuous Reflection: Driving Success Across the Product Lifecycle
Every product has a lifecycle, and every company navigates it differently. Some ideas take root and grow into […]
Strategy is Not War; It’s Gardening
When most people think of strategy, they think of war. And it’s no wonder—our history books, leadership courses, […]
Decoupling OKRs: It’s Time to Let Go
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are supposed to make everything faster, clearer, and more focused. And when you’re […]
Agile, Lean Startup, and OKRs: Cinderella’s Glass Slipper
Agile, Lean Startup, and OKRs weren’t created by sprawling corporations. They were developed by small teams trying to […]
The Internal “How”: Building Strategic Capabilities In-House and Leveraging Process Power
When it comes to creating a sustainable, competitive strategy, the “how” question is central to your organization’s success. […]
The “How” Question: Building Competitive Advantage with Seven Powers
Once you know who you’re serving, where you’ll grow, and what value you provide, it’s time to address […]
The “What” Question: Defining the Value You Give and Receive
When it comes to building a meaningful strategy, “what” is all about value. What do you bring to […]
Book Review: No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
No Rules Rules is one of those rare business books that’s both nuanced and a total page-turner. Netflix […]
The “Where” Question: Mapping Out Your Path to Growth and Workplace Strategy
In building a clear, actionable strategy, location and structure matter. The “where” question in the Tiny Strategy framework […]
The “Who” Question: Identifying Key Players Inside and Out
In building a successful strategy, the “who” question is fundamental. Every organization is built on people: the people […]
The Power of “Why”: Defining Your Mission for Clarity and Purpose
When it comes to strategy, there’s no question more foundational than “why.” Understanding the purpose behind your work […]
Tiny Strategy: Crafting a Clear, Flexible Plan with Six Questions
Balancing opportunity with strategy is one of the trickiest challenges in any organization. Opportunities are constantly presenting themselves—new […]
Unlocking Competitive Advantage with “7 Powers”
If you’re working in product or strategy—or teaching others to think like strategists like I am—you’ve probably felt […]
Thinking in Metrics
Effective product management hinges on selecting and using the right metrics. Not all metrics are created equal—only those […]
Building a Strategy: Answering the Five Essential Questions
When it comes to building a successful strategy, start with clarity around your mission and vision. Your mission […]
The Tale of the Two Bakeries: A Business Fable
In the small town of Glenhaven, there were two bakeries. At the north end was Whisk & Whittle, […]
The Importance of Giving Feedback Early: Don’t Let Resentment Fester
Giving feedback can be uncomfortable. But holding back and letting small frustrations simmer is far worse. When we […]
Getting Started with Outcome Thinking
One of the biggest challenges people face when adopting OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) is shifting from output […]
Switcheroo for Practicing Difficult Conversations
A great role-playing exercise for practicing difficult conversations is The Switcheroo, which helps participants step into different perspectives […]
What Does Good Look Like?
One of my favorite teaching tricks is having students create their own rubrics for projects. At work, you’re […]
Why We Struggle to Get Things Done: Common Pitfalls
We all have things we want to achieve—whether it’s personal goals like getting fit or professional milestones like […]
Building a Product Management Class
When I set out to create a course on product management three years ago, I knew it would […]
Five Effective Ways to Quiet a Room After a Workshop Exercise
Getting a room of workshop participants or students to settle down after a lively exercise can be tricky. […]
The Easiest Way to Start Working with OKRs
If you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in a project and wondering, “What the hell are we really trying […]
What You Want isn’t Always What You Want
I was sitting on a patio with two of my dearest friends, polishing off a second bottle of […]
The Product Journey and the Product Portfolio
A product’s journey from inception to decline involves several distinct phases. Understanding these phases is crucial for anyone […]