The Chicago Sun-Times summer reading fiasco made the rounds online, drawing quick-fire reactions from across the spectrum. Most […]
We Did This to Ourselves
Metrics Are Easy—Impact Is Hard
Metrics are the corporate world’s comfort blanket: soft, familiar, and dangerously good at lulling us to sleep. We […]
Default Mode Is a Decision—Just Not Yours
You ever look up from your desk, your inbox, your endless errands, and think—“Wait, how did I end […]
Why Use Personal OKRs
Back in 2012, I stumbled onto Objectives and Key Results not as a corporate mandate, but as a […]
How to Use GenAI with OKRs (Without Letting It Think for You)
There’s a dangerous temptation with AI right now: outsourcing your thinking. Don’t. Your brain is still your most […]
AI Won’t Take Your Job—But Someone Who Uses It Better Than You Will
I’m About to Make Some Predictions About AI, Which Is Probably the Dumbest Thing I Could Do. But […]
When (and When Not) to Use AI in Digital Product Development
In Co-Intelligence, Ethan Mollick points out that we often turn to AI for a first draft to escape […]
Why Qualitative Data Belongs in Your Key Results
Check out my self-serve class on OKRs! When it comes to measuring success, people tend to gravitate toward […]
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 […]