You have created the vision for your products; you’ve built trust among your teams; you’re working hard to motivate team members to do great things; and you’re working to develop your teams with insight and direction. The final step in my 5 Factors methodology is to act decisively. As the product leader you need to get things moving; you own the success of your products.

How will acting decisively change the game for your products?

Many organizations have a dire need for game-changing action. They need leaders who will step up and make a difference. Most likely becoming a “game changer” was not in the job description you signed up for. However, in the role of product manager or product marketer, you are in a prime position to become the game changer in your company.

How do you become the decisive leader who drives change? How do you grow into an influential leader? You become the driver of change and the instigator of action with hard work and time spent. The following activities take you in the right direction:

• Make decisions: Too many individuals, and even companies, become immobilized because of indecision. You need to lead as the team player who is not afraid to make decisions.
• Start moving and keep moving: Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Show the people you work with that you’re a driver of change.
• Lead the way for the team: You’re in charge, so lead the way. If you’re not there yet, become the leader others can rely on when things get hard; because you know they will.

You may be thinking, “I’m only a product manger, no one reports to me, how can I act decisively and make the needed changes?” That question hits at the core of the 5 Factors of Leadership…none of the people you depend on to build, market, sell and service your products reports to you. You need to take action and make things happen. At the end of the day, you are responsible for the success of your products; take action to make things happen.

To you who are product leaders: work with your team(s) to help them see the value and understand why it’s important for them to be the leaders in their sphere of control. At the end of the day you are responsible for the suite of products that drive company success. Act decisively.

Questions: Why should product managers act decisively? What are you doing to become the game-changer in your company? Please leave a comment in the space below.

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The Product Management Perspective: Building successful teams that create great products is no easy task. Changing the game with decisive action is the final factor that will launch you and your product team to success in building compelling products that your customers love!