“The first meeting is proving how well I listen,” says Liz Lehtonen, founder and Head of Product at Worlds Untold.
So you’ve landed your first meeting with a bigwig stakeholder. How to listen:
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It’s about them: Ask a question and then stop talking.
Summarize: Reflect back what you’ve just heard, as you might get key clarifications.
Make connections: Connect with earlier in the conversation, as it is a sign of your attention.
Embrace the silence: Let them think and respond. This is hard for chatty product people.
More advice in Chapter 2, People, in Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders.
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Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Leaders is almost here. Pre-order one for your boss, your coworkers, and your masseur.