Leading Without Authority/Certainty: A Journey of Growth

Hey everyone!

As a Platform Product Manager with over two years of experience under my belt, I’ve been reflecting on my performance reviews from this past year. One key takeaway stood out: while I excel at leading projects when I fully understand the scope and dynamics, I often struggle with leading without authority or certainty.

This revelation has sparked a desire for growth, and I’m committed to actively working on this skill set in the coming year. However, I find myself a bit unsure about where to start. As someone who thrives on hands-on experience, I’m reaching out to the community for advice and resources to help me navigate this journey.

Understanding the Challenge

In my role, I oversee multiple applications rather than a single, siloed workstream. This multifaceted environment can lead to uncertainty, especially when I’m tasked with leading initiatives that fall outside my immediate expertise. The reality is, leading without authority can be daunting. It requires a different skill set—one that emphasizes collaboration, influence, and strategic thinking.

The Importance of Leading Without Authority

Leading without authority is about fostering collaboration and guiding teams toward a common goal, even when you may not have all the answers. It’s essential for:

• Building Trust: When you lead without positional power, you rely on your ability to earn trust and respect from your peers.
• Encouraging Innovation: By creating a safe space for open dialogue, you can encourage team members to share ideas and take risks.
• Driving Change: Leading initiatives across teams requires a solid understanding of how to influence others and navigate complex dynamics.

Strategies for Improvement

Here are some suggestions that I’ve received and found particularly valuable in my quest to improve my ability to lead without authority:

1. Embrace Uncertainty

One of the best ways to grow in this area is to actively seek opportunities that require you to lead initiatives without having all the answers upfront. For example, consider projects that involve introducing new processes or integrating technology across teams. By stepping outside of your comfort zone, you can practice leading in uncertain environments.

2. Explore Frameworks

A helpful approach to navigating uncertainty is utilizing frameworks like the Opportunity Solution Tree. This framework allows you to map out various possibilities and visualize how different paths could align with business outcomes. By having a structured way to approach problems, you can steer conversations and decisions with more confidence, even when faced with ambiguity.

3. Join a Community

Engaging with a community focused on product leadership can provide valuable real-world scenarios to practice and receive feedback. Whether it’s through formal courses or informal meetups, connecting with other product professionals can deepen your understanding and enhance your skill set. Websites like Meetup are great platforms to find local groups and events.

4. Continuous Learning

As a young product professional, I’m always on the lookout for courses, newsletters, and programs that can help me grow. Here are a few resources that have come highly recommended:

• Courses on Product Leadership: Look for online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning that offer courses specifically tailored to product management and leadership.
• Newsletters: Subscribe to industry newsletters such as Mind the Product or Product Coalition to stay updated on best practices and insights from experienced leaders.
• Books: Consider reading books like “Lean Product and Lean Analytics” to understand how to make data-driven decisions and lead effectively.

Conclusion

Leading without authority or certainty is a skill that can be developed over time. By embracing uncertainty, exploring useful frameworks, engaging with communities, and committing to continuous learning, I’m optimistic about enhancing my ability to lead effectively in my role as a Platform PM.

I would love to hear from you! What strategies have you found effective in leading without authority? Any additional resources or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I embark on this journey of growth!

Happy leading!