Idea · carried by 1 source
Executive as Key User
A framework for applying product management discovery skills — curiosity, empathy, user research — to the executives and stakeholders you need to influence. The same skills that make you good at understanding customers should be turned toward understanding the person whose buy-in you need.
Where it comes from
Jessica Fain on Lenny's Podcast (~11:00). Fain observed that PMs use their best skills on users but abandon them entirely with executives: > “As product managers, one of our best sets of skills is curiosity and empathy and trying to understand our users. But the moment that we're talking to an executive or to a stakeholder, we forget those skills and those talents and we begin to think about our ideas, getting that approval.” highlights/jessica-fain-influence — Full podcast context.
“Execs want to be successful, too. They want to be good at their jobs. And how can you help them?” The most powerful influence comes from genuinely wanting to make your executive more successful — not just getting them to approve your plan.