Ken Norton, an executive coach and former Google Product Manager, shares invaluable insights on unlocking product leadership skills. He emphasizes the shift in mindset required to foster creativity and effectively navigate challenges in leadership. The discussion touches on the cultural significance of donuts in fostering team connection, the transformative power of coaching versus mentorship, and the importance of addressing imposter syndrome. Ken also recommends key resources for emerging leaders to explore their values and enhance their skills.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Servant Leadership
Be a servant leader: fill white space and gaps, doing what needs to be done.
This approach to leadership is more important than focusing on superficial gestures like providing donuts.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Advice vs. Self-Discovery
Ken Norton realized advice-giving had limitations while at Google Ventures.
What worked at Google may not apply elsewhere; true growth comes from self-discovery, not external advice.
insights INSIGHT
Internal Reboot Analogy
Learning to drive illustrates how increased responsibility necessitates an internal "operating system" reboot.
The world's complexity remains constant, but our perspective and ability to respond must evolve for us to thrive.
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An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results
William A. Adams
Robert J. Anderson
Mastering Leadership provides a universal model of leadership, integrating inner consciousness and outer competencies to achieve breakthrough performance. It outlines five stages of leadership development—Egocentric, Reactive, Creative, Integral, and Unitive—emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and systemic thinking in effective leadership.
The Innovator's Dilemma
When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
Clayton M. Christensen
In this influential business book, Clayton Christensen shows how even the most outstanding companies can lose market leadership when they fail to adapt to disruptive innovations. Christensen explains why companies often miss new waves of innovation and provides a set of rules for capitalizing on disruptive technologies. The book uses examples from various industries, including the disk drive, mechanical excavator, steel, and computer industries, to illustrate trends that lead to success or failure in the face of disruptive technologies.
Immunity to change
How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization
Lisa Laskow Lahey
Robert Kegan
This book by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey explores the concept of 'immunity to change,' which refers to the subconscious resistance people have to making significant changes, even when those changes are clearly beneficial. The authors introduce a practical framework, the 'Immunity to Change Map,' to help individuals and organizations identify and overcome hidden commitments and big assumptions that prevent change. The book emphasizes the importance of mindset transformation and adaptive improvement over mere technical skill development, providing tools and case studies to facilitate lasting personal and organizational change.
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success
Diana Chapman
Kaley Warner Klemp
Jim Dethmer
This book distinguishes between unconscious and conscious leadership, offering a roadmap to help leaders transition from fear-based to trust-based leadership. The 15 commitments outlined in the book aim to enhance self-awareness, accountability, and collaborative relationships. By practicing these commitments, leaders can achieve more energy, clarity, focus, and healthier relationships, both personally and within their teams. The commitments include ending blame and criticism, speaking candidly, finding unique genius, and creating win-for-all solutions, among others. The authors provide practical exercises and resources to help leaders implement these commitments effectively[2][3][4].
Dare to lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Brené Brown
In 'Dare to Lead', Brené Brown provides a roadmap for leaders to build trust and foster a culture of courage and vulnerability. The book emphasizes that leadership is not about titles or power, but about recognizing and developing the potential in people and ideas. Brown introduces the 'BRAVING' framework (Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Non-judgment, Generosity) to build and maintain trust. She also highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability, having tough conversations, and aligning actions with shared values. The book is based on her research with global leaders and offers practical advice on developing empathy, resilience, and courageous leadership skills.
Advancing as a product leader requires new skills and a new mindset. Ken Norton is an executive coach who works with some of the top people in product to help them get unstuck and find creativity again in their approach to problems and their careers. After 14 years as a Product Manager at Google, Ken brings deep experience in leadership and shares with us the lessons he most often offers his clients to unlock growth. Join us.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for making this episode possible:
[00:00] What to expect in this episode with Ken Norton[03:10] Why Ken will never get tired of donuts[05:05] Ken’s career path and what he does with executive coaching now[08:00] What Ken learned from his own executive coach[12:02] Driving a car and the metaphor of learning a new skill[16:20] How Ken’s helping leaders shift their mindset[19:41] Creative vs reactive leadership mindset[22:15] How your underlying beliefs impact your leadership style[33:50] Mindset and authenticity and their role within leadership[39:00] What you can do if you can’t spend a lot on coaching[42:05] Resources Ken recommends (linked in notes)[44:22] Biggest blindspots people have[48:10] Why doing the hard thing, may be the best thing[49:20] What to do with imposter syndrome[58:40] Ways to find a coach[1:01:03] 10x vs 10%[1:05:35] Ken’s one piece of advice for hiring a product manager[1:13:00] How to find Ken
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