Mastering Product Leadership: Wisdom, Humility, and Grit with Aruna Adhikari
Nov 12, 2024
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Aruna Adhikari, Head of Product Clinical Technologies at IQVIA, brings over two decades of impactful experience in product leadership, earning recognition as one of the “100 Most Inspiring People” in Pharma Voice. She discusses the importance of empathy and humility in leadership, the emotional journey of industry recognition, and her transition from engineering to product management. Aruna emphasizes aligning professional goals with personal purpose, fostering collaborative team dynamics, and integrating kindness and humor for effective product leadership.
Effective leadership in product management relies on empathy and building genuine connections to foster collaboration and high performance.
Balancing subject matter expertise with structured methodologies is crucial for navigating challenges and enhancing decision-making in product management.
Deep dives
Leading with Empathy and Kindness
Effective leadership is rooted in empathy, compassion, and kindness, which serve as foundational qualities for successful leaders. It is emphasized that leadership is not about traditional motivators like carrots and sticks but rather about understanding and connecting with team members. This approach fosters a positive work environment where individuals feel valued and respected, promoting collaboration and higher performance. The discussion highlights the idea that leadership should focus on sincere human connections, leading to enhanced team dynamics and overall success.
Navigating Product Management Challenges
Product management is often marked by various challenges and complexities that require robust frameworks and processes for effective solutions. The speaker shares her journey into product management, emphasizing the importance of learning from initial failures and adapting strategies accordingly. A significant lesson learned is the value of balancing subject matter expertise with structured methodologies, which leads to improved decision-making and project outcomes. Recognizing the need for continuous learning and iterative development is crucial for product managers to succeed in their roles.
Holistic Thinking in Product Management
Holistic thinking involves viewing the product lifecycle from multiple perspectives, including market dynamics, financial implications, and user needs. Acting as a 'CEO of the product' is encouraged, prompting product managers to consider what decisions they would make if they were fully responsible for the product's success. This mindset guides managers to adopt a broader view of their roles, ensuring they address not just immediate concerns but also long-term impact on the business. By fostering this approach, product managers can enhance collaboration with cross-functional teams and align strategies with organizational goals.
Building Alliances and Strategic Leadership
Effective product management requires building strong alliances across departments and aligning stakeholders around long-term objectives. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders to achieve collective wins. This involves employing strategies like the 'empty chair' analogy to keep the end-user in mind during discussions, ensuring that decisions are centered around solving real problems. Further, developing self-awareness, leveraging authority, and fostering relationships with key leaders are essential skills for nurturing one's product management career.
Join Rina Alexin as she hosts Aruna Adhikari, Head
of Product Clinical Technologies at IQVIA, for a deep dive into the lessons and philosophies that shaped Aruna’s successful career in product management. In this episode, Aruna shares insights from over two decades of experience, including her journey from electrical engineering to becoming a celebrated product leader in life sciences, recently named one of the “100 Most Inspiring People” by Pharma Voice. Discover Aruna’s approach to leading with empathy, embracing humility, building cross-functional trust, and fostering a tenacious drive for innovation. Whether you're an emerging product manager or a seasoned executive, Aruna’s story and wisdom offer valuable guidance on achieving meaningful, impactful product leadership.
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