By Marty Cagan · svpg.com · LinkedIn
This is an index post introducing Marty Cagan's series of articles on the manager's role in coaching product managers. Cagan explains that he uses his blog and the product community as a testing ground for draft chapters of future books, using reader feedback to sharpen his arguments. He lists the seventeen coaching topics covered in the series, from the coaching mindset and development plans to imposter syndrome, ethics and the greatest coach. He also notes that recruiting and onboarding content sits in an upcoming staffing series, and invites readers to suggest further coaching topics. For product leaders, it works as a roadmap to a practical body of guidance on developing product managers.
01Key takeaways
- Coaching product managers is a core manager responsibility worth deliberate practice.
- Structured topics such as assessments, development plans and one-on-ones give managers concrete tools for growth.
- Addressing imposter syndrome, ownership and time management is part of developing product managers, not a side issue.
- Reader feedback is a useful way to test and refine leadership ideas before they become settled guidance.
- Teams can use a shared series of articles as a recurring discussion topic in product meetings.
02Key sections
- Why the blog serves as a testing ground
- Cagan describes publishing articles as a way to trial book chapters and learn which ideas are clear, valuable, or in need of revision. Reader responses shape where he refines his thinking.
- Focus on managers coaching product managers
- The recent work centers on how a manager actively develops product managers through coaching. Readers have reported using the articles as discussion material in weekly product meetings.
- The coaching series index
- A list of seventeen topics runs from the coaching mindset and assessments to decisions, ethics and happiness, ending with the greatest coach.
- Related series and requests
- Recruiting and onboarding content is filed under a separate upcoming staffing series, and additional series on strategy and team objectives are planned. Readers are invited to request more coaching topics.
03From the post
“A partnership dedicated to teaching best practices to product teams and product leaders”
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.