Master Vertical Hierarchies Now
Strategies for Succeeding in a World Where "Up" is the Only Way to Go
In today's rapidly changing business world, the concept of a horizontal organization is gaining momentum. These organizations are known for their flexible structures, streamlined decision-making, and collaborative work environment. However, many companies still adhere to the traditional vertical hierarchy structure, which can be challenging for product managers. In this article, we will explore how product managers can navigate vertical hierarchies and succeed in an environment that doesn't have plans to change to a horizontal one.
Understanding the Power of Context
The power of context is critical to understand when navigating a vertical hierarchy company. Malcolm Gladwell explains in his book "The Tipping Point," context shapes our thoughts and behaviors, and this concept holds true in the workplace. The context of an organization can influence how we think and act, and product managers need to understand the context of their company to navigate it effectively.
However, the power of context goes beyond just understanding the company's structure. It also includes understanding the history, values, and beliefs that shape the organization's culture. These factors can significantly impact how decisions are made and how work is done. As a product manager, understanding the power of context involves digging deeper to understand the nuances of the organization and how they impact your career.
"The most successful product managers are the ones who are best able to navigate the politics of their organization and the hierarchy of their company." - Marty Cagan
Building Strong Relationships
Building strong relationships is critical to any organization's success and is imperative in a vertical hierarchy. However, building new relationships can be challenging and emotionally draining, especially when power dynamics are at play. As a product manager, you may need to build relationships with individuals with decision-making power or who are resistant to change.
Building relationships takes time, so it is essential to be patient, persistent, and authentic. Take the time to understand your colleagues' and stakeholders' needs and motivations, and find ways to add value to their work. Show them that you are invested in the company's success and the product and committed to working collaboratively to achieve common goals. Over time, you can build trust and rapport with your colleagues, making navigating the vertical hierarchy easier.
Communicating Effectively
Effective communication is essential in any organization and particularly important in a vertical hierarchy. When information flows from the top down, it is critical to communicate clearly and concisely to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
To communicate effectively, it is vital to be clear, concise, and timely. Use simple and direct language, and avoid jargon and technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your audience. Be an active listener and ask questions to ensure that you understand your colleagues' and stakeholders' perspectives and needs. Provide regular updates and feedback, and be open to suggestions and feedback from others.
Embracing the Culture
Every company has its unique culture, and it is crucial to understand and embrace it. The culture often focuses on stability, control, and structure in a vertical hierarchy. However, this does not mean there is no room for innovation or change.
"A successful product manager needs to be able to embrace and navigate the culture of their organization in order to achieve their goals." - Melissa Perri.
As a product manager, you may need to challenge the culture from time to time to implement changes that will lead to product and feature success. To do this, it is essential to understand the culture and find ways to align your product vision with it. This may involve identifying areas where the culture supports innovation and building on those or showing how your product vision aligns with the company's values and goals.
Conclusion
Navigating a vertical hierarchy company as a product manager can be challenging, especially when the company does not have plans to change to a horizontal one. To succeed in this environment, product managers must understand the power of context, build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and embrace the culture. While building new relationships can be emotionally draining and challenging, product managers need to do so to navigate the vertical hierarchy successfully.
Communication is the key to success in a vertical hierarchy, as it ensures everyone is on the same page and avoids misunderstandings. Product managers must understand and embrace the company culture while challenging it from time to time to achieve product and feature success. You can explore more in the article:
By adopting these strategies and approaches, product managers can successfully navigate a vertical hierarchy company and make meaningful contributions to the organization. While a horizontal organization may be ideal for some, it's important to remember that success is possible in any organizational structure with the right mindset and approach.
By adapting and thriving in a vertical hierarchy company context, product managers can establish themselves as valuable assets to the organization and achieve their product management goals.
I know this is daunting and will drain your energy, so be careful. In a future article, I will explore techniques to help you restore your energy and keep going.