We’re proud to be kicking off 2021 by highlighting the most exciting product-led professionals in the game today.

Over the past few months, you have nominated your product-led heroes, and whilst it’s been quite a task, we managed to narrow it down to 25 influencers who we’re going to be keeping an extra close eye on in the coming year.

Some are seasoned vets, others are just getting started, but they are all making waves and we are so excited to announce our top PLG influencers for 2021!

Can’t wait to get inside? Check out some of the answers from the report - you’ll have to download the full thing to see who they’re from though 😉.

What is your least favorite thing about being in Product?

Product managers have all of the responsibility, but none of the authority! This is a commonly held belief, and perhaps mostly true. It takes a special skill set to be able to motivate and engage a team that isn’t technically accountable to you. It can be a challenge, but at the same time — it also can be rewarding when that team works so well together.

Do you think we’ll see more companies change to a product-led strategy?

Yes. Despite the fact that ‘product-led’ is seen today as a buzzword, companies have a deeper understanding of the importance of true customer and product centricity in a world of tough competition and fast-paced change. I see the change towards ‘product-led’ as gradual depending on the size of the company and the industry.

The mindset of the leadership team, the values they define and the structure of the organization will be defining factors of the ‘product-led’ journey.  Driving product-led growth through putting the customer at the center of the strategy is a powerful framework. Some key advantages are lowering acquisition costs, faster sales cycles, rapid scale through onboarding automation for example, and improved customer satisfaction.

What would your advice be to a junior product manager just starting out?

First I’ll tell them they have the best job in the world. There’s no bigger satisfaction than connecting with users and bringing solutions to life. I’ll also tell them to remember that when it gets harder, when there are many stakeholders to manage, or on the days the data doesn’t make sense :-) But in all seriousness, I’ll tell them to never stop learning, from peers (and later their employees), books, blogs, mentors. To always be curious, consult, and keep a growth mindset.

Want to find out who gave these awesome answers, and read allllll the rest?