Notes from Ellis

December 10, 2024

Shipping Software Is a Team Sport

The Essence of Teamwork in Shipping Software Shipping software isn’t a solo achievement—it’s a team sport. Every successful product results from collaboration. Developers write clean, efficient code; designers craft user-centered experiences; testers identify and resolve issues; and product managers align the team’s goals and prioritie...
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December 5, 2024

Bridging the Gap from Craft Leader to Business Executive

In my career, I've observed a consistent challenge for leaders in product and design: the leap from being a craft expert to becoming a true business executive. It's not that these individuals aren't talented or accomplished; quite the opposite. They are often some of the best at what they do. Yet, when it comes to stepping into broader...
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December 3, 2024

Why You Shouldn’t Bring Your Whole Self to Work

In recent years, the phrase "bring your whole self to work" has become a popular concept in many workplaces. The underlying idea is compelling: by being our true selves, we promote authenticity, build trust, and contribute to a more human-centered work culture. However, despite its appeal, this concept has significant drawbacks. Bringi...
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November 21, 2024

Harnessing Collective Impact to Work in the Product Model

In today’s fast-paced business environment, large enterprises are increasingly adopting the product model to foster customer-centric innovation, boost efficiency, and promote a culture of ownership. However, transitioning to a product model is not just about restructuring teams or adopting new processes—it's fundamentally about transfo...
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November 19, 2024

Balancing Process and Risk as Organizations Scale

As organizations grow, they face the challenge of adding structure and predictability. Processes are implemented to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency. However, this increased focus on processes often comes at a hidden cost: it can overshadow the risk-taking mindset that originally fueled innovation. Scaling adds processes, bu...
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November 14, 2024

Cultivating Product Mastery: The Apprenticeship Model in Product Management

The Product Journey as a Learning Adventure Product roles are not simply career positions; they are dynamic journeys rooted in ongoing learning. This work is an evolving blend of creativity, strategy, empathy, and technical skills. To grow in product management and design, it's not enough to just read books or complete courses—you need...
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November 12, 2024

The Strategic Partnership Between Product Leaders and Finance

Product leaders play a crucial role in driving innovation and business growth. They envision new products, lead teams, and push forward initiatives that shape an organization's future. However, behind every successful product leader is often an essential but less visible partner—the finance team. Finance helps turn ambitious ideas into...
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November 7, 2024

Adapting Roger Martin's CEO Traits for Effective Product Leadership

Roger L. Martin, a renowned business strategist and author, has laid out five key traits for successful CEOs. You can read his original article here: The Signs of a Good CEO. These traits aren't just for the C-suite—they hold valuable lessons for anyone in leadership, especially product leaders. In this post, we'll explore how Martin's...
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October 31, 2024

Breaking Free from Inefficiency: How to Build a Culture of Accountability

Most companies are riddled with inefficiencies. This may sound harsh, but it's a reality that many organizations face, often without even realizing it. These inefficiencies are embedded in company culture, driven by a fear of failure and a tendency to maintain the status quo. But what if we could take a different approach? Instead of a...
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October 24, 2024

Mastering the Three Product Senses for Product Management & Experience Design

Success in Product Management and Product Experience Design doesn't have to be overly complicated. The "10-30-50 PM/PX" model offers a clear path to success by focusing on three core competencies: Product Sense, Analytical Sense, and Execution Sense. Mastering these senses forms a strong foundation for anyone aiming to excel in either ...
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October 18, 2024

Climbing the Ladder of Design Maturity

In the field of design, maturity isn't just about creating visually appealing interfaces or well-crafted user experiences. It involves the level of influence a design team has—not only on the products they create but also on defining the problems worth solving. In this post, we explore the stages of design maturity using the metaphor o...
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October 18, 2024

Operate Off of Optimism

Operating with an optimistic mindset is far more effective than being driven by fear. Fear can inhibit progress, while optimism propels you forward. Focusing on optimism is not merely about seeing the bright side; it involves identifying opportunities and building momentum, even during uncertain times. Let’s explore why optimism matter...
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October 10, 2024

Design as a Mechanism for Behavioral Change

The core premise underlying any design intervention is fundamentally about behavior modification: "Users will engage in behavior X rather than behavior Y, where X produces greater organizational value than Y." If users persist in their original behaviors despite a design intervention, it begs the question: has the intervention genuinel...
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