LOVE TO LEAD: Tips from a product owner – How effective leadership succeeds in an agile environment
How do you strengthen your leadership skills as a product owner?
Michael Hübner, Senior Product Owner at SupplyOn and change agent of the “LOVE TO LEAD” initiative, shares his experience of how to lead effectively in an agile environment – and the role of SAFe and self-development in this.
Michael, which management approaches are particularly important to you as a product owner in an agile environment?
Michael: A key point for me is the clear communication of goals. As a product owner, I have the task of formulating the vision for the product in such a way that it becomes tangible for the entire team. At the same time, it is essential that I am always available to clarify questions or remove obstacles.
Agile working also means that we remain flexible and can react quickly to changes. The Scaled Agile Framework helps me enormously here, as it provides structures that create orientation even in dynamic project situations. Another important element is trust: I trust my team and give the developers the space to make their own decisions. This not only boosts motivation, but often leads to creative and innovative solutions.
How do you implement effective leadership techniques in your role as Product Owner?
Michael: I attach great importance to communicating decisions transparently and clearly defining priorities. The product backlog is my central tool to ensure that the entire team has the same focus.
I also see my role as coordinating collaboration between the stakeholders. I not only talk to our developers, but also to customers, the UX team and other departments. This interaction is crucial in order to develop products that actually meet our customers’ requirements.
Another important management tool is regular feedback. In both retrospectives and reviews, I encourage my team to talk openly about challenges. This allows us to continuously improve. The positive error culture at SupplyOn is particularly helpful here.
How has the “LOVE TO LEAD” initiative supported you in your development from Product Owner to Senior Product Owner?
Michael: For me, LOVE TO LEAD is more than just an understanding of leadership – it is a real compass that has helped me to further develop my role as a Product Owner. The value of Self-development is particularly important to me. It encourages me to continuously work on my skills, be it through further training or taking on more complex projects.
The opportunity to contribute to the development of leadership principles as a change agent has also given me a new perspective on leadership. It was exciting to see how our principles apply not only to disciplinary managers, but to all employees – regardless of their position. This experience has motivated me to take on more responsibility myself and to support my team even more.
What role does the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) play in your leadership work and how does it help you to structure leadership tasks?
Michael: The Scaled Agile Framework gives us the tools we need to manage complex projects effectively. One highlight is the quarterly PI planning, where we sit down with all the teams involved and set the goals for the next three months. This shows how important it is to have clear management structures.
SAFe gives us a stable structure that is still flexible enough to meet dynamic requirements. For me as a product owner, this means prioritizing the requirements from my area in such a way that they not only meet our internal goals, but are also aligned with the needs of our customers. The principles of LOVE TO LEAD, such as Long-term thinking and Customer value, are an enormous support in making decisions that are sustainable and add value.
Tips for aspiring product owners
- Work continuously on your further development
- Actively use feedback to shape your career
- Take on responsibility and face challenges
Further insights: Interview with Maria-Pia Drago – “Taking Ownership at Work”
Everyday life of a PO: Interview with Dominik Halamoda
