Embracing the Incomplete: My Journey as a Product Leader
The journey of leadership is, in many ways, a journey toward embracing our incompleteness
Recently, I stumbled upon an insightful article by HBR titled “In Praise of the Incomplete Leader” and found it strikingly relevant. When I started as a manager, my aim was clear-cut: try to be perfect. Over time, I’ve realized the importance of embracing the imperfect and acknowledging that no leader has all the answers. My various roles have thrown different challenges my way, and each has contributed to my growth. Let’s explore this in line with the HBR article’s concepts:
1. Sensemaking:
Understanding and shaping the market’s signals into a crisp strategy is pivotal. Recounting my tenure as a PM for an API tailored for marketers — a demographic technically astute but not principally reliant on APIs — I grappled with the problem of simplifying arcane API terminologies. At first, I leaned heavily on technical jargon, missing the mark with marketers. This experience emphasized the need for a balance — understanding the technical side but communicating it simply. Simplifying is key in sensemaking.
2. Relating:
Relationships form the bedrock of any successful project or organization. However, it has sometimes been rocky sailing for me. My interactions with the sales teams have been frequently marked with trust issues. There were times when the alignment seemed almost impossible, the visions clashing. But with time, I learned that bridging such gaps means going beyond mere communication. It’s about cultivating empathy for the other person in a way that makes me understand their point of view and daily struggles. After that, I used this understanding to collaborate in a way that helped the other side.
3. Visioning:
Articulating a compelling vision at an early-stage startup is, paradoxically, both vital and challenging. Pre-product market fit, the landscape changes rapidly. Each new piece of customer feedback, each pivot, can shift the horizon. The vision that looked clear yesterday might be blurry today. This fluidity often left me feeling like I was navigating without a compass. However, I’ve seen this flux as an opportunity to build resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. It’s taught me that vision isn’t just about the destination but also the journey and how we adapt to its twists and turns.
4. Inventing:
Every innovation comes with its set of skeptics. More so when people don’t feel they’re part of the solution. I’ve faced resistance, not because the ideas needed more merit but often because the stakeholders felt sidelined. In pursuing innovation, I’ve learned that it’s not just about the ‘what’ but also the ‘how.’ It’s about co-creation, involving everyone in the journey, and ensuring they feel valued and invested in the outcome.
In reflection, the “incomplete leader” concept resonates deeply with me. I am growing, evolving, and learning through my imperfections and mistakes. I’ve understood that leadership is more than having all the answers but learning from questions, challenges, and uncertainties. It’s about the humility to admit when we’re wrong, the resilience to keep going, and the wisdom to know that the journey of leadership is, in many ways, a journey toward embracing our incompleteness.
