How to generate energy as a product manager

Ever wonder what separates good product managers from great ones? At Microsoft, we believe it boils down to three leadership principles: creating clarity, delivering success, and generating energy. While the first two might seem obvious and foundational, how to generate energy can be a bit of a mystery. This post will unpack this principle, showing you how to become an energy catalyst for your team.

Beyond enthusiasm: the power of purpose

Generating energy isn't just about pumping people up. It's about igniting a shared passion for the product you're leading. This influence doesn't come from a title; it comes from connecting everyone's work to a clear and inspiring purpose.

For example, say you launched a new accessibility feature. You could emphasize how each role's contribution directly enhances digital inclusivity for people with disabilities, aligning technical tasks with a socially impactful mission.

From tasks to impact: the emotional connection

Start by bridging the gap between daily tasks and their emotional outcomes. Imagine a team that develops a real-time collaboration tool. Instead of highlighting only the technical specifications, you could focus on how this tool enables teams, especially in remote areas, to work together as if they were in the same room. Sharing testimonials from teams who felt more connected and productive because of your tool can vividly illustrate the emotional and practical impact of your team’s work.

Owning the journey: setting and achieving audacious goals

Big goals energize. But the magic truly happens when the whole team is involved in setting them and charting the course. Consider a scenario where, for a major feature release, not only are ambitious user engagement targets set, but each team member devises part of the strategy to get there. This approach can turn project milestones into shared victories, with everyone invested in the outcome.

Stories fuel the fire: celebrating wins, big and small

Keep the momentum going by sharing customer stories that showcase the impact of your team's work. After launching a feature that simplified data entry, you might share stories from small business owners about how much time they saved each day. Celebrating these wins, both big and small, not only keeps the energy high but also connects team efforts to meaningful user benefits.

Empowering and engaging: autonomy and fun

Give your team ownership by granting them autonomy in their tasks and encouraging initiative. Letting a small group spearhead an experimental feature can revitalize their creative energies. You might combine this with a 'design sprint' week, turning it into a fun competition, which boosts creativity, builds camaraderie, and significantly lifts team spirit.

Lead by example: be the energy source

Your own energy is contagious. By demonstrating commitment—being the first to tackle challenges and the last to give up—you set a powerful example. During a critical product launch phase, consider personally leading weekend strategy sessions, which can motivate your team to give their best, seeing that their leader is right there with them in the trenches.

Feedback loop for growth

Regularly solicit and provide feedback. This fosters a continuous improvement cycle, keeping everyone aligned and motivated. Imagine holding bi-weekly feedback sessions where you openly discuss what's working and what isn't, making these meetings a source of constructive criticism and encouragement, thereby energizing the team.

Sharing the victory: weaving your team's story

Don't let your team's achievements exist in a silo. After a successful feature launch, you could craft a cohesive story highlighting the team's hard work, the challenges overcome, and the positive impact on the organization and users. Sharing this story beyond your immediate team, throughout the broader organization, can amplify your success and inspire others.

The takeaway

Generating energy isn't a one-time thing though; it's about creating an environment where people feel valued, their work has meaning, and their efforts directly contribute to the product's success. You can transform everyday tasks into a shared mission, filled with excitement and purpose. As a product manager, you have the opportunity to only energize your team but also unlock their full potential for innovation and success. And a highly activated and aligned team is the most powerful outcome for a happy product manager.