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The Nuances of Product Leadership No One Talks About (with Debbie McMahon, CPO at The Financial Times)
Manage episode 478431499 series 2936621
A seedling and a tree may share the same DNA, but their roles in the ecosystem are vastly different—just like junior and executive product leaders. As leaders climb the ranks, their focus shifts from producing features to providing structure and support that allow teams to thrive.
Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, reflects on this evolution and how her approach to leadership has matured over time. From managing complex internal and external relationships to knowing when not to follow popular advice, Debbie offers practical wisdom on staying grounded, building trust, and leading with intention at the executive level.
Resources from this episode:
- Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter
- Connect with Debbie on LinkedIn
- Check out The Financial Times
Chapters
1. The Nuances of Product Leadership No One Talks About (with Debbie McMahon, CPO at The Financial Times) (00:00:00)
2. Debbie's Career Journey (00:01:28)
3. Stakeholder Management in Product Leadership (00:02:27)
4. Evolving Product-Engineering Relationships (00:04:50)
5. Balancing Macro and Micro Leadership (00:08:05)
6. The Importance of Understanding Stakeholders (00:11:53)
7. Managing External Relationships (00:16:05)
8. Authenticity and Emotional Mastery in Leadership (00:20:42)
9. Delegating Thoughtfully as a Senior Leader (00:25:15)
10. The Loneliness at the Top (00:28:51)
90 episodes
Manage episode 478431499 series 2936621
A seedling and a tree may share the same DNA, but their roles in the ecosystem are vastly different—just like junior and executive product leaders. As leaders climb the ranks, their focus shifts from producing features to providing structure and support that allow teams to thrive.
Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, reflects on this evolution and how her approach to leadership has matured over time. From managing complex internal and external relationships to knowing when not to follow popular advice, Debbie offers practical wisdom on staying grounded, building trust, and leading with intention at the executive level.
Resources from this episode:
- Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter
- Connect with Debbie on LinkedIn
- Check out The Financial Times
Chapters
1. The Nuances of Product Leadership No One Talks About (with Debbie McMahon, CPO at The Financial Times) (00:00:00)
2. Debbie's Career Journey (00:01:28)
3. Stakeholder Management in Product Leadership (00:02:27)
4. Evolving Product-Engineering Relationships (00:04:50)
5. Balancing Macro and Micro Leadership (00:08:05)
6. The Importance of Understanding Stakeholders (00:11:53)
7. Managing External Relationships (00:16:05)
8. Authenticity and Emotional Mastery in Leadership (00:20:42)
9. Delegating Thoughtfully as a Senior Leader (00:25:15)
10. The Loneliness at the Top (00:28:51)
90 episodes
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