What is Agile and what does a Product Manager do? At its essence, Agile is a mindset, an approach to building projects and products. The core belief is you will deliver better outcomes if you value your people over your process, communication over fixed plans and iteration over a big bang delivery.
Within this, the Product Manager, or Product Owner, acts like a hinge, a pivotal point. They hold the tension, the balance and are the collective voice of the business, the user and the development team.
The Guardian builds its digital products using this approach. For the past 18 months I have had the privilege of this role I have found some interesting parallels with my graduate studies — Applied Theology.
‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ — Proverbs 29:19
Vision is, I believe, the most critical skill for both a Christian leader and also a Product Manager. The ability to be in amongst the trees but not blinded by them. The Product Manager must be able to see the destination clearly and inspire others to go with them on that adventure. The vision has to focus on how you will be making the lives of your users better through investing your time, energies and abilities building this product.
With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skilful hand — Psalm 78:72
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant — Matthew 20:26
The Bible uses the analogy of a shepherd when describing good leadership qualities. The shepherd is found not at the front, but rather at the back of the flock. They should know the terrain before they arrive and be ready to guide along the safest path. From that position they are perfectly positioned to spot when things go wrong. If your focus is only on the next goal, you will miss when your team are struggling or need defending. The shepherd is prepared to shoulder a burden to keep the flock moving but also can run to defend when attack comes. The Product Manager carries the accountability and should deal directly with any criticism of the team. However when success comes, should make sure the team are front and centre.
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’- Matthew 5:37
This one is simple. Don’t lie. Not to your team, users or stakeholders. Integrity is your bank account and delivery is your currency. When you need others to trust your decisions, you need to spend some of this currency. If you are discovered to be deliberately deceitful you will immediately bankrupt your authority.
A degree in Applied Theology usually leads to a role as a vicar or pastor of a church. Many of my friends from university are now leaders in Christian communities all around the world. My career didn’t lead in that direction but I am now more grateful than ever of that training.
This was originally published in issue #004 of The Long Good Read
A year and 5 months have passed since I wrote this. In that time I have moved on from the Guardian, some things have changed, much has not. I have been fortunate to get to know some new colleagues who are challenging me to be better, wiser. One of my fellow Product team has laid down a challenge for me to turn this singular post into a series. So here goes. This is now Part 1. Part 2 is here.
