In a wide-ranging conversation, Linus Hakansson, Chief Product Officer at Gravitee, shared his insights on what it takes to be a great leader for product teams.

Linus’s journey to becoming a CPO began with developing mobile apps and architecting cloud solutions. He emphasized the importance of applying technology to solve real problems, which he attributes to a combination of skill, hard work, and good fortune. The AI revolution, he believes, is a positive trend for those entering the workforce – as long as they can think creatively and provide innovative solutions.

Throughout his career, Linus has stressed the need for product teams to have core technical skills, be motivated to solve problems, and able to identify gaps in existing products. He explained that having sound technical skills provides a solid foundation for a career in product management.

Linus’s passion for problem-solving began at a young age, as he learned to code from his father, who was also a developer. After completing his studies, Linus set out to create an app that would help users with Fantasy Football – not sucking at it being the ultimate goal. He built one of the first mobile applications that provided insights on player rotations and undervalued players.

While building successful software is not a requirement for great product leaders, Linus’s experience highlights the importance of identifying market gaps and having the technical skills to fill them. His app was not just a commercial success but also achieved its purpose in helping users make informed decisions about their Fantasy Football teams.

A Passion for Impact

Linus’s love for building products that have real-world impact is evident throughout his career. His first job as an Android developer at Sony Mobile allowed him to learn how developing technology can directly influence people’s lives. He emphasized the importance of being motivated by a desire to build better products and not just pristine technology.

For Linus, good product design means understanding the problems that users face and spotting opportunities to solve them. A great product leader is someone who decides what to build based on how end-users work with technology and solve problems. He believes that companies should prioritize collaboration, empathy, and diversity in their product teams to create successful products.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4027999/how-to-be-a-great-chief-product-officer-motivation-knowledge-and-skills.html