5 strategies to master product leadership in 2025

As I clipped in for a recent Peloton ride, I realized that balancing resistance, cadence, and output on a bike mirrors leading a product team today.

When you're on a bike, you're constantly adjusting resistance based on the class or terrain, just like we adapt our leadership approach. Your cadence, or how fast you pedal, reflects the rhythm of decision-making and team momentum. Output is the impact we create by combining all these elements.

Just as each organization has its own culture, your team has unique personalities. Factor in both elements as you adjust during your ride to get the desired output. Some days you’re grinding up a hill; others you’re pedaling faster to pass the ‘competitor’ ahead on the leaderboard.

Here are tips to build your product leadership approach as we begin the new year.

During a recent coaching session, a product leader reflected, "I pursued leadership roles to advance my career and earn more money. Now, I understand that effective leadership is about supporting and developing others, not just myself."

Amazon plans to increase “the ratio of workers to managers by 15% by the end of 2025’s first quarter” and Google is doing the same. Startups are following a similar pattern to cut costs by reducing the number of group product managers or head product manager roles. In 2025, leaders must coach their team to identify other career paths beyond management.

One opportunity is the ‘super IC’. An individual contributor powered by AI, exemplified by Tal Raviv. A ‘super IC’ is an experienced product manager who focuses on the hands-on work they enjoy. Their impact comes from deep insight and using tools like AI to boost productivity. Increase the cadence, get a tech-enabled boost, and the output rises.

Leaders must recognize the importance of creating clear career paths for ICs, with competitive compensation and distinct titles, to support those who choose - or have no other option - to remain in these roles.

Recommendation #1: With the rising IC to manager ratio, identify your own ‘super ICs’ to help you scale your leadership impact. Encourage them to share how they’re improving productivity, building self-reliance, and balancing product sense with internal know-how to improve decision-making.

During mentoring and facilitation sessions, I often hear that a manager has canceled multiple 1:1s. This is usually paired with, my manager has no clue what I do or has provided zero guidance.

Don’t disappear. Instead, find your 1:1 meeting rhythm and make it sustainable. The same goes for catching up with stakeholders and skip levels to boost morale and alignment. Here’s how to find the ideal balance.

Recommendation #2: Create a culture of open communication. By prioritizing quality interactions, fostering transparency, and encouraging collaboration, you'll stay connected with your team without relying on excessive meetings. This approach prevents information gaps and promotes a more responsive dynamic.

In Peloton terms, your power zone is where you're challenged but can sustain your effort. For product leaders, this means creating an environment where everyone can push their limits while staying energized. Here's what works:

Recommendation #3: It takes time to become a leader, and once you’re there, don’t feel the need to know every tool or technique. Encourage your team to step up, celebrate explorations and attempts, and connect with them as a human being instead of a multi-tasking machine or flitting hummingbird. Be your authentic self. You earned the leadership role for who you are - past, present and future.

Unlike a Peloton dashboard or Strava readout, leadership metrics aren't always digital. They're in the energy of your team, the quality of your products, and the growth of your people.

If you are a leader, then trust me, you are having either a positive or a negative impact on the people you lead. How can you tell? There is one critical question: Are you making things better for the people who follow you? That’s it. John C. Maxwell

That question is the real test of leadership. Leadership isn’t about titles, perks, or power—it’s about adding value to your team, customers, and the organization. If your team is thriving, then your leadership is effective. If not, reassess. Start by following these 4 A’s.

Recommendation #4: Regularly assess team dynamics, creating space for curiosity and understanding. Observe interactions, ask open-ended questions, and align individual strengths with emerging realities. Make time for learning to show you're invested in your team's success, not just your own.

Remember that mix of excitement and uncertainty when you became a leader? Leading with a human-centered approach can feel the same way, because humans are tricky.

In facilitation sessions with product managers, I often ask “what makes you feel valued at work?”. Money and promotions matter, but wanting to be heard, having autonomy, and knowing their leader has their back (trust) stood out. Here’s the recommended framework.

Recommendation #5: Cultivate an environment of trust and autonomy by consistently applying the SHARED feedback approach and empowering your team to make decisions. You’re well on your way to creating super IC’s and improving overall team performance.

Leading this isn't easy. There will be days when you want to crank up the resistance and make decisions alone. Just as every ride makes you stronger, every interaction with your team is an opportunity to build better relationships and create more impact.

Start small. Pick one aspect of your leadership style to adjust this week, like listening more deeply in 1:1s or admitting your leadership challenges. Track how it feels, what changes you notice, and where to adjust your approach.

I'd love to hear your experiences. Drop a comment below or connect with me directly. Let's learn from each other's rides.

P.s. Curious to learn more about me, Diana Stepner? You can interact with me in multiple ways: join my Maven course to learn how to apply coaching as a product manager, explore my philosophy and speaking on my website, access my customized AI coaching bot 24/7, or connect with my product leadership digital twin for tailored guidance.