EP 489 - News Corp VP of Strategic Products on Developing a Unique Product Management Style
Dec 20, 2024
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Nicole Castillo, VP of Strategic Products at News Corp, shares her journey from customer service to product management and the importance of empathy in leadership. She discusses cultivating a personal brand and the need for self-awareness in product development. Castillo emphasizes the significance of psychology safety in teams to embrace failure and drive innovation. Additionally, she advocates for women's empowerment in tech, highlighting a global initiative aimed at increasing female representation in leadership roles.
Nicole Castillo emphasizes the importance of cultivating a unique personal brand in product management to excel professionally.
Transparent communication and humor are vital for managing stakeholder expectations and navigating the complexities of product leadership.
Deep dives
Nicole Castillo's Path to Product Leadership
Nicole Castillo, VP of Strategic Products at NewsCorp, reflects on her unconventional journey into product management, crediting early experiences in customer service as foundational to her success. These roles taught her the importance of understanding customer needs, which has proved invaluable in her product management practice. As she transitioned from roles in different industries, ranging from telecommunications to media, she honed her skills through company agile transformations, gradually evolving from a business analyst to a leader overseeing product teams. Nicole emphasizes that the ability to read between the lines of customer feedback has been crucial in creating products that genuinely address user needs.
Navigating Internal and External Expectations
In managing stakeholder and customer expectations, Nicole highlights the importance of transparent communication and humor in difficult conversations. By being candid with internal teams about customer needs, she fosters a proactive culture that balances organizational vision with consumer demands. She acknowledges the natural tension that exists in product management, noting that clarity and open dialogue can mitigate misunderstandings. Ultimately, she encourages product managers to embrace discomfort as a part of the role, allowing for better navigation through complex dynamics.
Embracing Change in Product Development
Nicole discusses the challenges she faced when transitioning products, particularly the decision to sunset underperforming projects. Her fresh perspective allowed her to approach the situation logically and assess the genuine value these products were providing to users. She emphasizes the importance of remaining objective and focused on solving real problems rather than becoming attached to the products themselves. This mindset not only benefits the business but also alleviates friction for development teams by allowing them to work on products that actually matter to users.
Fostering Diversity and Empowering Teams
Nicole's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her advocacy for the Global Women in Tech conference at NewsCorp, which aims to increase female representation in technology. By rallying support and connecting passionate individuals across various teams, she successfully initiated a platform for women to share experiences and resources. Nicole believes that asking for support and being willing to take on projects beyond standard job responsibilities can lead to significant change. She encourages others to voice their ideas and advocate for initiatives that promote inclusivity within their organizations.
What's the secret to becoming a standout product leader? In this episode hosted by Justin Leibow, News Corp VP of Strategic Products Nicole Castillo and winner of the Products That Count Product Leader Awards shares how cultivating a distinctive personal brand and developing a unique product management style is crucial for product managers looking to excel in their careers. Nicole emphasizes the importance of identifying and embracing what makes you unique as a product leader.
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