It’s mastery, so don’t expect it to be easy.
As both a serial entrepreneur and agile coach to teams of all sizes, I have come to understand that mastering complex product development converges into three competencies. I also sometimes like calling this as the core skillset of “chunking”, and also the skill of “solving the problem at the right level”.
(1) Content competency: the Expert
Of course it’s unrealistic to have every single skill and knowledge to build the product. If you do, most likely that’s not a complex product. And what’s the point of putting together a team.
Yet if you are maniacally in love with your product, it’s unlikely that you don’t know the full scope of your product. Naturally, you are an expert of your product.
(2) Integration competency: the Designer and Architect
Just stacking up tasks, stories and epics won’t make a product. The creative process of streamlining, merging and weaving the many moving parts into a higher state of creation, is how the product starts making sense and work.
A great product development team has a mastermind designer and architect. Be that person.
(3) Management competency: the Leader
Functioning and performing teams have two simple traits: they have team processes that work, and people that talk with each other.
Does that naturally happen? Typically not. It happens because of a great leader.
Be that leader.
And in the context of a functional expert CxO, this is what your work looks like. Your role is unique because unlike other GM type c-suite roles, you are a combination of expert of experts and GM.
If this resonated
Mental models are a curious kind of tool, fast and slow at once. They are useful in the instant, yet they also quietly open a space to reflect. That's why learning through mental models tends to stick. If you would like more like this, here are some ways to stay connected.
Subscribe for Updates
Joining the Mental Model Dōjō learning community is free. Agile Organization Development, managed by Lifecycle Pte. Ltd., is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us. From time to time, we would like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit, you consent to allow Lifecycle Pte. Ltd. to store and process the personal information submitted.
Join Our Next Dōjō Session
Come learn in the open. Coach Takeshi shares what he is picking up from live client work, and tests new mental models with the community. Check the next session and reserve your spot.
Follow Us
Drop Us a Note
