Organizations, like minds, can become prisons of their own making—trapped in outdated beliefs, rigid hierarchies, and the illusion of control. The greatest product leaders recognize this and learn to see beyond the walls. They think in analogies, using mental models to break free from institutional inertia and spark innovation.

But how do you escape a prison you don’t even realize you’re in? It starts with awareness. Are your processes truly serving progress, or are they just well-worn pathways of habit? Are your strategies built on fresh insights, or are they echoes of the past masquerading as wisdom?

In this post, we’ll explore why organizations unconsciously limit themselves and how thinking metaphorically—like seeing a company as a living organism, a complex machine, or even a psychic prison—can unlock new ways of leading, building, and thriving.

In the world of product management, relationships are everything. Your success hinges not just on strategy and execution but on how well you manage the intricate web of stakeholders—executives, engineers, designers, marketers, and, of course, customers. Yet, how often do we stop to assess the health of these relationships? Just like a regular medical check-up ensures physical well-being, a Stakeholder Audit can be the key to diagnosing blind spots, realigning expectations, and strengthening collaboration before misalignment turns into dysfunction.

This article explores why and how you should conduct a structured review of your stakeholder relationships, offering a practical framework to identify gaps, recalibrate trust, and optimize communication. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, leading a transformation, or simply maintaining momentum, a stakeholder audit can be your secret weapon for sustained success.

n product management, real value isn’t always obvious—it’s layered, like a Russian nesting doll. On the surface, features and short-term wins seem enticing, but peeling back each layer reveals deeper insights: customer needs, strategic differentiation, and long-term impact. The best product managers resist chasing vanity metrics or fleeting trends; instead, they uncover sustainable value through discovery, iteration, and prioritization. True innovation lies in understanding not just what customers want, but why they need it—aligning business goals with meaningful user outcomes.

Let’s talk transformation—not the superhero kind, but the kind that makes product organizations hum like a finely tuned orchestra. Achieving transformation in product organizations is no small feat, and yet so many teams focus on the wrong thing first. They obsess over what they’re delivering—platforms, features, products—without fixing how they deliver it. That’s like trying to run a trick play in football with a team that can’t even line up correctly. Spoiler alert: that’s a fumble.

Here’s the deal: Remote work has its place. If you’re churning out incremental updates or running a "feature factory," it’ll do fine. But for product teams tackling disruptive challenges or transformative projects, shared in-office time is irreplaceable.

2025 might just be the year when growth starts and ends with your product - that is, if you want to grow smarter, not harder. Product-led growth (PLG) as a strategy and mindset has long been embraced by the Slacks, Dropboxes, and Zooms of the world. It should be your go-to strategy a) anyways (if you’re a product manager) and b) especially if you find yourself in a particular competitive situation.

In the blog post "What I Wish I Knew in the First 10 Years of My Career," the author reflects on key lessons learned during the early stages of their professional journey. They emphasize the critical importance of networking, highlighting that genuine relationships often open doors to unforeseen opportunities. Stepping outside one's comfort zone is identified as a catalyst for significant growth, with the author advocating for embracing challenges and taking calculated risks. The post also addresses common misconceptions about leadership, suggesting that effective leadership is developed through experience and continuous learning, focusing on influence rather than authority. Additionally, the author underscores the value of energy management over time management, advising professionals to prioritize activities that recharge them to maintain productivity and avoid burnout. The piece concludes by stressing the importance of aligning with company culture and being collaborative, as these factors contribute to career advancement and fulfillment.

In the blog post "Not all Product Managers are created equal (and Thank God for that)," René Insam challenges the myth of the "perfect" product manager who excels in every domain. Instead, Insam emphasizes the value of diverse strengths within product management teams, advocating for leveraging individual expertise to drive success. The article introduces various PM archetypes—such as The Techie, The Visionary, and The Analytics Buff—highlighting the unique contributions each brings to a team. Insam offers practical advice on maximizing one's strengths, strategic collaboration, continuous learning, and aligning skills with product needs, underscoring that effective product management thrives on complementary team dynamics rather than individual perfection.

In the blog post "Why Your Product Isn’t Working (Hint: You’re Not Doing Field Research)," René Insam emphasizes the critical importance of engaging in direct, on-the-ground user observation to truly understand user needs and behaviors. Insam argues that many product managers rely too heavily on indirect methods like surveys and data reports, which can lead to misguided assumptions about user experiences. By conducting field research, product managers can uncover unspoken user needs, challenge their own biases, and develop products that genuinely resonate with their target audience. The post also offers practical advice on minimizing disruptions during field visits, avoiding defensive reactions to user feedback, and being mindful of observer bias and the Hawthorne effect.