As Product Director at Kristal.AI, I believe that exceptional products are built by exceptional people. My leadership philosophy centers on empowering individuals to achieve their full potential while driving organizational success. This approach has consistently delivered measurable results—from transforming underperforming team members into senior leaders to achieving ambitious product goals that exceed expectations.
My Leadership Framework: Three Pillars of Success
| Pillar | Focus Area | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Goal Setting & Achievement | NCT (Narrative, Commitments, Tasks) | 18% session duration increase, 12% churn reduction |
| 2. Effective Feedback | PM Competency Model + Radical Candor | Improved stakeholder management and communication |
| 3. Development Plan | Product 9-Box Assessment | Promotion from PM to Senior PM in 12 months |
Challenge Context
Sarah (changed the name to keep privacy) joined my team overwhelmed and unfocused, contributing to job dissatisfaction and consideration to leave the company.
1. Goal Setting & Achievement
Sample check-in
2. Effective Feedback
Feedback is a catalyst for growth when it’s timely, specific, and actionable. I adopt a structured approach inspired by the PM Competency Model by Ravi Mehta, assessing skills across Product Execution, Customer Insight, Product Strategy, and Influencing People, and delivering feedback with radical candor—caring personally while challenging directly.
In bi-weekly one-on-ones, I shared observations like, “I noticed a two-week delay on Project X stemmed from unclear stakeholder alignment,” supported by evidence. Using the “Five Whys,” we identified a root cause: her tendency to assume shared understanding without verifying. We co-created a plan—she took a communication course and practiced active listening in role-plays I facilitated. Over time, her stakeholder relationships strengthened, reflected in smoother project delivery and positive team feedback.
3. Development Plan
Investing in talent means tailoring development to individual needs and providing opportunities to shine. For Sarah, I crafted a personalized plan to bridge her gaps and amplify her strengths. Using the Product 9-Box (as shown below), I assessed her as a “Project Manager”—strong in leadership execution but off-track in product impact. Her trajectory was steady, but I aimed to push it upward.
Product 9-Box Assessment for Sarah
The Product 9-Box evaluates performance across two dimensions:
Each axis has three levels: off track, on track, and overperforming.
Sarah’s Placement: Box 4 – Project Manager
Post-Meeting Notes
After 12 months, Sarah’s transformation was undeniable. She consistently exceeded goals, and her promotion to Senior PM was a strategic move to leverage her newfound capabilities. This not only retained a valuable team member but also inspired others to pursue growth.
Conclusion
Sarah’s journey reflects that by setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, and fostering development, we can turn a potential loss into a leadership win. Her success—evidenced by a 20% adoption increase in her feature and a 5% uplift in retention—underscored the ripple effect of these practices across Kristal.AI.