Being a Product Owner with No Direction From Above w Richard Cheng

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Richard Chang discuss the challenges that product owners face when they don't receive the support and direction they need from their leadership. They explore strategies for product owners to navigate these situations, including having open and honest conversations with leadership, running experiments to validate assumptions, and finding mentors or support networks. They also emphasize the importance of understanding the needs and perspectives of stakeholders and users, and the need for product owners to manage their space and hold their ground, even in the face of power dynamics. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and continuous learning in the role of a product owner. Takeaways * Product owners often struggle when they don't receive the support and direction they need from their leadership. * Having open and honest conversations with leadership can help product owners gain clarity and alignment on product strategy and goals. * Running experiments and validating assumptions can help product owners make informed decisions and mitigate risks. * Finding mentors or support networks can provide guidance and help product owners navigate challenging situations. * Understanding the needs and perspectives of stakeholders and users is crucial for product owners to make effective decisions. * Effective communication, collaboration, and continuous learning are key skills for product owners to succeed in their role. Chapters 04:55 Introduction and Background 07:12 Challenges of Product Ownership 11:49 Taking Initiative and Creating Strategic Direction 17:39 Validating Assumptions and Removing Bias 27:56 Coping Strategies and Social Engineering 31:01 Conclusion and Plug for Richard's Classes Contacting Richard Web: www.agilityprimesolutions.com Email: richard.cheng@agilityprimesolutions.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardcheng/ Twitter: twitter.com/richardkcheng Contacting Dave Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsungo/ Links from Dave's Intro The Agile Network* https://theagilenetwork.com/ *If you’d like a discount on an annual membership or want to try a month for free, send an email to dave@theageilnetwork.com and let me know. Agile 2024 Interviews: https://drunkenpm.blogspot.com/2024/07/agile-2024-all-interviews.html The Art of War for Collaboration Course https://modusinstitute.com/course/art-of-war-collaboration Guided Personal Kanban (September 2024) https://modusinstitute.com/course/guided-pk-sep-usa Public Scrum Training CSM/CSPO/A-CSPO https://www.scrumalliance.org/courses-events/search?tr=14153&cnty=US