Conversations with CxOs

A program manager reached out to me for advice for a 1:1 meeting with her company's Chief Product Officer. She is less than two months into her new role at the company. She wanted to know how to approach it.

I asked her what she was planning to talk about.

She said: "I'd like to know more about the company's strategy and opportunity. I also have a few ideas and observations from the last two months about how we could be writing better user stories."

I suggested her not to do that.

1:1 meetings with C-level leaders have one of two outcomes:

1) They walk away thinking, "This person is sharp. They can connect the dots. I wouldn't mind meeting with them again." OR

2) They think it was a complete waste of time.

So, important to think about how to achieve the first outcome. Use the time to understand what they are trying to solve for at the company level. If you have an idea to share, show how it connects up to the company, and not just your function. Show you can think outside the box that is drawn for you.

It is easy to think that you need to impress them. That's a trap. You need to show that you are aligned, curious, and thoughtful.

Early conversations go a long way. It is important to make them count.