Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication

Being good at communicating won't just help you in the workplace. It will also do wonders for your personal life. If Steve Jobs is your role model, this section's for you.

Covered in this lecture:

• Why communication is so important.

• What you will learn in this section of the course.

Public speaking doesn't come naturally to a lot of people. But it's something you'll have to get used to if you want to work your way up the product management ranks. Here's how to master those presentations.

Covered in this lecture:

• What makes a successful presentation.

• Various types of presentations and audiences you may come across.

• How to design effective presentation slides.

Steve Jobs was the ultimate storyteller. By following a carefully calculated framework, you can do the same. Remember: the key is to emotionally connect with your audience.

Covered in this lecture:

• Why storytelling is vital for product managers and other roles.

• An analysis of Steve Jobs' technique.

• A simple strategy that will allow you to effectively communicate an idea or product.

So you know what makes a good presentation and how to tell a compelling story. Now, it's time for the delivery part. Becoming a confident public speaker takes a lot of practice. Here's a few ways to master it.

Covered in this lecture:

• 5 strategies that work for any public speaking engagement.

• Various ways of practicing your speech.

• How to excel at Q&A sessions.

Non-verbal communication is just as important as the verbal stuff. If your body language reads as defensive or domineering, people will judge you for it. The following methods will ensure you're seen in a positive light at all times.

Covered in this lecture:

• The importance and power of body language.

• The gestures and facial expressions to avoid when public speaking.

• Positive gestures and facial expressions to use when addressing an audience.

Everyone's personality can be different. That's obvious. But what's not clear is how to use individual traits to your advantage both in the workplace and in your personal life.

Covered in this lecture:

• What a personality type is.

• The various traits that make up each type and how to identify them.

Realizing that not everyone thinks in the same way as you is vital to being a good leader and communicator. How do you do this? By understanding your own personality type as well as the personality types of others.

Covered in this lecture:

• Real world examples of using personality types to your advantage.

• The best places to take your own personality test.

Documenting everything you do will boost your product management career. It may be boring but it will save you so much time in the long run.

Covered in this lecture:

• What documentation is and why it's so important.

• Various tips to help you establish a good documentation strategy.

How do you define leadership? Well, there's no one correct answer for the term can encompass a whole bunch of things. In this part of the course, you'll find out more about all of them.

Covered in this lecture:

• The definition of a leader.

• What the following section will cover.

Being a good leader doesn't involve acting like a robot. Use your emotions wisely and don't forget to involve your entire team in your day-to-day work.

Covered in this lecture:

• Ways to become a better leader.

• How to involve your team in your leadership.

There are always ways to improve your communication skills. Nothing is more important when you're trying to steer a team in the right direction.

Covered in this lecture:

• Strategies that will help you become a better communicator.

• Leadership-focused examples.

Being able to influence people without coming across like a dictator is a vital skill for any product manager. Here's a few ways to get started.

Covered in this lecture:

• What product managers need to remember when it comes to authority.

• 6 ways to influence people when you're not their boss.

Making yourself known to your co-workers will help you influence them even more. For some, visibility can be uncomfortable. But putting yourself out there really isn't as hard as it seems.

Covered in this lecture:

• Why visibility is important and what it can do for your career.

• 6 ways to make yourself stand out.

Speaking to your team one-on-one will only get you so far. If you really want to lead them better, get to know their opinions via a group exercise. Here's one of Cole's favorites.

Covered in this lecture:

• The point of leadership exercises.

• An example of one to try out, including how it works and why it's useful.

Congratulations! You've secured a job in product management. But how do you get those all-important promotions? This section of the course will explain everything about advancing your career.

Covered in this lecture:

• The basics of accelerating a career in product management.

• What the following course section will cover.

When you first join a company, you may feel a little lost. It's not unusual, so don't panic. Instead, stick to these guidelines to make your new role, or an existing one, a breeze.

Covered in this lecture:

• What to do in the first week of a product management role.

• Things to achieve in your first month.

As a product manager, you will be exposed to a wide number of different situations and company areas. Knowing where your career can go is therefore always helpful.

Covered in this lecture:

• The product management hierarchy.

• The responsibilities that come with each role.

• Opportunities outside product management to take advantage of.

Getting a promotion isn't the easiest thing in the world. It depends on the company you work for, your performance, and so much more. But if you keep the following tips in mind, you'll be one step closer.

Covered in this lecture:

• The factors that affect promotions.

• 5 tips to maximize your chance of being promoted.

No matter what your role is or how senior you are, you need to have a personal brand. Put together a website, get involved with social media and stick to these simple rules.

Covered in this lecture:

• What a personal brand is.

• 3 ways to maximize your personal brand.

• Rules to stick to.

Some career tips just don't fall into a specific category. From remembering your strengths to ensuring you behave professionally in the workplace, these guidelines will help you go the extra mile.

Covered in this lecture:

• 4 ways to improve your product manager skills.

Your career trajectory may involve directly managing other people. If that's the case, you're going to want to prepare. The next section of the course will help you do just that.

Covered in this lecture:

• What people management can involve.

• What the next few lectures will cover.

Product managers are a special type of person. Understand them and you'll be able to manage them.

Covered in this lecture:

• 3 ways in which product managers are different to other kinds of people.

• How to use this knowledge to become a better manager.

Whether you're already managing product managers or considering a move into management, it's useful to know what you should be doing on a day-to-day basis. Here's a few key pointers.

Covered in this lecture:

• What makes a great manager.

• What the job involves.

• The things a manager should be doing in the workplace.

Everyone knows what a one-on-one meeting is, but most people are still doing them wrong. Here's how to make the most of these discussions.

Covered in this lecture:

• 5 things that a one-on-one meeting should involve.

• 3 things such meetings should avoid.

Managing your boss sounds like a bizarre concept, but it's one way to progress your career. Remember: if you make their life easier, they can only thank you for it.

Covered in this lecture:

• What managing upwards means.

• Management techniques that will help both you and your boss.