Ken Norton

Guest: Ken Norton - Executive Coach. Ken Norton is a former Google product leader who played a key role in developing products like Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. He now specializes in coaching product leaders. Key Takeaways: Creative vs. Reactive Mindset: Leaders should strive to operate from a place of openness and curiosity (creative) rather than fear and defensiveness (reactive). This mindset is positively correlated with success. Inner Work for Leadership: Effective leadership often requires internal growth and understanding one's values and purpose, rather than just acquiring new skills or following frameworks. People Over Product: Senior product roles often focus more on managing people and relationships than on the product itself. Developing soft skills is crucial. Imposter Syndrome: Recognize and manage inner critics by understanding their intentions and reframing negative self-talk. This is common among product managers due to the cross-functional nature of the role. Hiring Product Managers: Focus on the intangibles and ensure alignment on the role's expectations. The interview process should assess whether a candidate can truly perform the job, not just pass the interview. Topics Covered: Creative vs. reactive leadership, imposter syndrome, executive coaching, hiring product managers, mindset shifts in leadership, importance of soft skills in product management.