In the past few weeks, I’ve received similar questions from two different companies, which I’d like to reflect on here. Both organizations were in the process of crafting strategies for critical areas: one for AI and the other for cybersecurity. Their question to me was whether it would also be important to develop a strategy
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from the Crisp Consultants
Why your teams aren’t really empowered (and how to fix It)
What actually empowers a team? Despite all the talk about empowered teams in tech, there’s often confusion about what real empowerment looks like.
At its core, an empowered product team is given significant customer or business problems to solve, rather than being handed features to build. But it’s not enough to simply assign problems – true empowerment requires the right environment to succeed.
If You Lived in Germany in 1939, What Would You Do?
Imagine the following: You live in Germany in 1939. Or perhaps it’s 1938, or even as early as 1935. The Nazis are in power. If you’re an average German, your material conditions are probably quite good. Unemployment is low, and the Nazis have introduced extensive “welfare programs,” so you’re likely living a decent life. But
Continue readingInterview with Petra Wille
Jennie Mårtensson interviews Petra Wille, a renowned product leadership coach and author of Strong Product People and Strong Product Communities. Petra shares her insights on why being a product manager is one of the most exciting jobs, drawing from her extensive experience across various industries. She discusses the key elements of building a strong product
Continue readingInterview with Henrik Kniberg on Generative AI
We chatted with our colleague Henry Kniberg at Crisp about his latest work on generative AI and his upcoming master class in the Leading Complexity program. He shared some very insightful comments: “Generative AI makes things less predictable but more intelligent.” “If I had to estimate, it would be at least a tenfold increase in
Continue readingLearn to lead in complexity with Erin Meyer’s insights on Netflix’s Success
In today’s fast-changing world, understanding how to lead in complex environments is more important than ever. That’s why our program, “Leading Complexity” includes lessons from some of the best minds in business. One of these is Erin Meyer, whose insights into Netflix’s groundbreaking culture are invaluable for any leader. Erin Meyer co-wrote “No Rules Rules”
Continue readingLearn to Lead Complexity with Insights from Gary Hamel
Are you ready to tackle the challenges of today’s complex business world? Join our program, “Leading Complexity,” where you can learn from the best, including the innovative thinker, Gary Hamel. Gary Hamel is a big name in the world of business management. He has been called “the world’s leading expert on business strategy” by Fortune
Continue readingInterview with Woody Zuill – Software Teaming (Mob Programming) – addressing complexity with genuine collaboration.
We are excited to have Woody Zuill teach a Master Class in this fall’s leading complexity program. The topic is Software Teaming (Mob Programming)—addressing complexity with genuine collaboration. Woody coined the concept of Mob Programming/ Software Teaming, wrote books on the topic, and traveled the world spreading the ideas. Recently, we had the opportunity to
Continue readingInterview with Bonnitta Roy – Thinking with Complexity
We spoke with Bonnitta Roy about her upcoming Master Class in this year’s leading complexity program for the fall. The topic is Thinking with Complexity: Post-Formal Actors, Protocols, and Complex Potential States. Bonnitta is an author, researcher, complexity thinker, business developer, and teacher. She integrates many fields: Natural Sciences, Living Systems, Consciousness Studies, Relational Processes,
Continue readingInterview with Gary Hamel – Thriving in the Age of Upheaval
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, traditional management practices are being challenged like never before. Gary Hamel, a leading authority on modern management, offers a fresh perspective in his latest book, “Humanocracy.” We had the fortune to have a chat with him. In the interview, Hamel discusses the pitfalls of bureaucracy and the need for
Continue readingInterview with Peter Block – Leader as Convener
You have been missing out on whether you are a consultant, coach, or leader and have yet to become familiar with Peter Block. We are fortunate to have Peter in this year’s leading complexity program for the fall. He is mainly known for his books on Flawless Consulting and Stewardship. However, his latest writing on
Continue readingInterview with Esther Derby – A Leader in Navigating Complexity
In the interview, Esther Derby discusses complexity in organizations, contrasting it with a mechanistic approach. She likens it to creating conditions for a forest to emerge rather than controlling a factory’s output. Derby emphasizes different leadership skills required for various roles within an organization: setting macro-level conditions for senior leaders, enhancing conditions for enabling roles,
Continue readingInterview with Erin Meyer: Insights on Netflix and Organizational Culture
In the interview, Erin Meyer discussed her collaboration with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings on “No Rules Rules,” a book exploring Netflix’s innovative organizational culture. She described the extensive research and interviews undertaken to understand and systematize Netflix’s unique culture into a model that other organizations could learn from. Erin emphasized that successful companies like Netflix,
Continue readingPeter Block – Leader as Convener
Peter Block might not be the most well-known thought leader in the Agile community, but he’s one of the thought leaders who have had the most influence on our success as consultants, coaches, and leaders. We are excited to have him in this year’s leading complexity program for the fall. We have long wished to
Continue readingIntroducing Esther Derby: A Leader in Navigating Complexity
In the dynamic world of Agile leadership and organizational development, few names command as much respect as Esther Derby. With a career spanning decades, Esther has earned her place as a luminary in guiding teams and organizations through the labyrinth of complexity. For us, she is an obvious choice as a speaker in the Leading
Continue readingIs gut feeling inherently bad?
Gut feeling. The sensation you get when you have a hunch. You know what to do. Is that hunch good or bad? Should you push it to the side or should you embrace it? Let’s explore these questions. According to psychology, gut feeling, or intuition, is how our brain makes use of past experiences, along
Continue readingMob Programming / Software Teaming is more relevant than ever!
We have never been in a faster-changing environment than we are today. In product development, you must create a product that your customers love but also works for the business (ref Marty Cagan). To do that, you need to be innovative and a leader in your domain. If you don’t, you risk being disrupted and
Continue readingThe Prioritization Problem
It was tense. A long list had been shared. Big features to build, new markets to launch. You could feel the built-up tension in the room. In the past, there had been a lot of friction. Voices were raised. Names were called. The situation was at a standstill. They needed someone, an outsider, to appease
Continue readingThe Discovery Illness
When helping teams and companies shift towards the product model, one of the key concepts introduced is practicing product discovery. Prior to this shift, a typical scenario starts with a stakeholder—someone up top—sharing detailed requirements on what to build. This approach leaves the so-called “feature team” with very limited opportunity to influence the solution. Now,
Continue readingHow to transform to Empowered Product Teams – FAQ #4
A few days ago I was asked an interesting question by a product team coach at a new client that I want to share with you. Q: – What can I do to help my team practice discovery? I understand it for customer experience facing teams, but my team is an enabling platform team. What
Continue readingThe Key Insight and Core Idea Powering the Product Model
Dive into the Product Model’s key insights (focus on outcomes), and core idea (the empowered engineer) to re-invent your teams to become Empowered Teams.
Continue readingRemote Training Tip: Combining Quote Factory with Snow Flakes
Even though the trend right now is that more and more return to the classrooms for in-person training, remote training sessions are for sure not gone. One challenge in remote trainings are energizing and thought provoking exercises, where participants can get a feel for theoretical concepts. Crisp is fairly well known for its abundance of
Continue readingThe Product Model Decoded: Building Product-Led Organizations
Dive into the essence of the Product Model, a transformative approach embraced by leading companies for consistent innovation at speed. Explore how this model, codified and championed by industry thought leaders, empowers teams, accelerates innovation, and reshapes organizational success in our dynamic, VUCA world.
Continue readingSimple Workflow for Midjourney + ChatGPT
Jag är ingen fotograf eller van skapare av bilder men har alltid gillat bra foton när jag ser dem. Utan att riktigt förstå varför de ser bra ut eller ej. När jag försöker generera bilder med DALL·E 3 eller Midjourney så blir det alltid bara så där och är väldigt frustrerande! Men nu har jag
Continue readingThe Product Model at Spotify
Joakim’s Note: You can reach me at https://joakimsunden.com/ Spotify is an exceptional company, the best I’ve ever worked for. When I left the company after more than six years, I wanted to help other companies become more like Spotify. However, I didn’t believe companies could merely copy the organizational structures of tribes, chapters, and squads
Continue readingHow to transform to Empowered Product Teams – FAQ #3
Q: For years now our technical architecture and platform have limited us to use component teams. We are excited by empowered product teams, but because of this setup we experience barriers to getting started. What can we do to change this? Each of our teams is typically responsible for one or a few modules in
Continue readingThe story about rice that made me understand great leadership
Within the leadership philosophy of “Intent-Based Leadership,” there is a saying that goes: “Create leaders, not followers.” It sounds great, and no one would argue against it, but do you really understand what it means? I didn’t, until I heard a story that I will now share with you. It all began when my colleague
Continue readingStubborn on vision and flexible on details: how to facilitate a Product Vision Sprint
Where are we heading? What’s the future going to look like for our product? Let’s pause here. There is a sad truth. Most companies don’t answer these questions in a meaningful way. Being fortunate to meet many diverse companies in the world, the top struggle is direction. Commonly, talking to individual contributors, managers, and senior
Continue readingGetting Started Guide for ChatGPT
Feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities of conversational AI? This guide serves as your initial stepping stone, simplifying the art of prompt crafting to help you get off to a strong start. Basic – Start here Prerequisite: You need ChatGPT plus for this tutorial to work. The free version of ChatGPT is not good enough (and
Continue readingJennifer Garvey Berger – Complexity Genius summary
First out in our second season of the Leading Complexity Program was the fantastic Jennifer Garvey Berger. She did an amazing job of framing the whole program and connecting the participants with each other. Jennifer explained how we all experience complexity in our daily lives. She started with a question: How do you experience complex
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