I noticed today on Twitter that a large number of the people I follow were posting comments about management. The tweets were all over the board regarding styles, challenges and needs. But, they all focused on the central theme of communication in managing – projects, people and companies.
I have often been asked why I am not in senior management. My answer is simple: 1) not everyone aspires to lead teams; 2) I have enough growth to do on my own that growing others is not a priority; and, 3) I get frustrated too easily with what I call “moronic behavior.” (Yes, I have been warned not to use that term inside a company because it “be perceived as negative.” Duh!) However, just because I’m not in senior management, does not mean I do not recognize challenges.
One of the more interesting tweets today came from a software vendor who posted a link to an interesting small business owner blog. I applaud the author who recognizes that the problem he faced – his employees not understanding his problems – was his to own, and didn’t blame the employee for not being aware.
And, I realized that the issue is communication.
In product management and marketing we like to think we are communicating with our partners in marcomm, development, sales, etc. But, stop for a minute. Are you really communicating with them? Do these company brethren truly understand the problems that you are trying to solve? Do they understand your goals? Do they appreciate what the challenge is that you are resolving that caused another sleepless night?
Looking in from the outside, it is not enough to just communicate what our product message is, features, benefits, personas, etc. To be effective partners within, and outside of , our company we need to share our goals and challenges. Stop protecting the information as if it is the holy grail. Who knows? You might get help from an unexpected source.
And, if you’re in senior management leading a product management and/or marketing team – make sure your team understands your challenges (not just that you understand theirs.) After all, isn’t managing about growing?
The biggest missing component for most organizations in supporting better communication among internal and external audiences is the implementation of a consistent and complete process. The impromptu and social way to disseminate information is the status quo for many and we have found that approach can actually hinder companies in achieving their goals.
This becomes most apparent when products are introduced that miss their mark with customers. When that happens the product innovation management process was either inconsistent, incomplete or did not include key stakeholders’ voices through the entire process. Communication is the beginning of understanding.