Product management is exhilarating—and isolating. You’re expected to juggle strategy and execution, balancing the conflicting demands of teams, stakeholders, and customers. For many product leaders, it feels like navigating uncharted waters without a map—and often, without a crew.
Across industries, one theme stands out: Product management is at a crossroads. It has never been more essential to business success, yet it remains a role plagued by confusion and complexity.
Leaders are asked to master both the art of vision and the science of delivery—often without the tools, resources, or support they need. While product management roles have grown exponentially over the past decade, many leaders find themselves navigating uncharted territory. The stakes are higher than ever, but the path forward is anything but clear.
The state of product management: confusion and complexity
The discipline of product management has evolved significantly, but it’s also rife with challenges:
- Role confusion: Despite its potential to drive cultural and operational transformation, the role of product management is often poorly defined and understood by other business leaders. Leaders report feeling underutilized and boxed in by outdated organizational structures.
- Theory vs. reality: There’s no shortage of advice—books, videos, and Twitter threads promising to unlock the secrets of great product management. But these often fail to address the messy realities of leading in complex, high-stakes environments.
- Transformational fatigue: Many leaders are navigating companies that have undergone multiple agile transformations or embraced product-led models, only to find themselves in a worse position than before.
The result? Product leaders are left trying to make sense of it all while feeling the weight of expectation and the sting of isolation.
The human side of product leadership
Beyond the strategic and operational challenges lies a deeply human struggle. Product leaders often find themselves as mediators—balancing customer needs, business goals, and team dynamics. It’s a role that requires constant judgment calls, emotional resilience, and an ability to thrive amidst ambiguity.
And it can be lonely. In the words of one product leader, “It’s not just the technical challenges that weigh on us—it’s the loneliness of trying to balance conflicting priorities while wondering if you’re on the right path.”
This loneliness is compounded by the lack of spaces for authentic connection. Conferences and networking events might introduce you to other leaders, but they rarely foster the depth of relationship needed to truly understand and address the challenges of the role.
The power of connection and shared wisdom
Authentic connection changes everything. When product leaders come together to share their challenges, something magical happens. Vulnerability leads to trust, trust leads to dialogue, and dialogue leads to growth.
In these conversations, the most powerful moments often come from hearing “me too.” Knowing that others—even the most seasoned leaders—face similar struggles can be profoundly validating and empowering.
Add to that the collective wisdom of diverse perspectives, and you have a recipe for breakthroughs.
Enter Product Leadership Circles
This is where Product Leadership Circles comes in. Designed specifically for product leaders, this five-month cohort program provides a safe, structured space to connect, share, and grow.
Here’s how it works:
- Small, curated cohorts: You’ll join a group of four to five product leaders with similar levels of experience and expertise.
- Real-world focus: Using a Lean Coffee format, each session dives deep into the challenges you’re facing, offering actionable insights and tailored feedback.
- Authentic relationships: Vulnerable, honest dialogue builds trust and lasting connections that extend far beyond the program.
This isn’t just another networking group. It’s a lifeline for leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and camaraderie in a complex field.
The impact: confidence, community, and better results
Last fall, we welcomed an elite group of over 50 product leaders, including Directors, Vice Presidents, Chief Product Officers, Senior Vice Presidents, Heads of Product Management, and VPs of Engineering. They came from a wide range of industries from FinTech, healthcare and energy to EdTech, retail and travel.
Participants of Product Leadership Circles consistently report three key outcomes:
- Confidence: Having a sounding board of experienced peers helps leaders feel more assured in their decisions.
- Community: The relationships built during the program are authentic and enduring, creating a support network that lasts long after the sessions end.
- Practical growth: The blend of tactical advice and strategic discussion equips leaders with tools and perspectives to tackle their toughest challenges.
Join the next cohort
If you’ve ever felt the weight of isolation or the frustration of navigating product leadership alone, Product Leadership Circles is here to help. This is your opportunity to:
- Connect deeply with peers who understand your challenges.
- Gain practical insights and renewed confidence in your leadership.
- Be part of a community that values authentic dialogue and shared growth.
Applications are now open for our next cohort. Don’t miss your chance to trade isolation for inspiration and theory for real-world solutions. Apply now.
Brett Buchanan is a seasoned product management leader with nearly two decades of experience across industries such as retail, healthcare, and fintech. Most recently, he served as interim Chief Product Officer at CarNext, guiding product strategy following a $500M investment and playing a key role in the company’s acquisition. Having faced the complexities of product leadership firsthand, Brett founded Pathfinder Product Labs—later acquired by Test Double—to help product managers gain confidence and clarity in their work.
He launched Product Leadership Circles to create a space where product leaders can connect, share experiences, and build confidence in their work with the support of a trusted community. Now at Test Double, Brett continues to focus on empowering product leaders to make a lasting impact. This column is as told to editor Kate McGinty.
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