A roadmap is not a wishlist. Listen to everyone’s input, but focus on what really matters. Your roadmap should highlight the biggest opportunities and challenges, not be cluttered with every whim from stakeholders. Ask tough questions to get to the core of their needs, and be honest about why some ideas won’t make it. People value clear communication and thoughtful decisions more than vague promises. Hear everyone out, but keep your priorities clear to make a real impact and get genuine buy-in.

The truth about stakeholder meetings nobody talks about: - It's not about the roadmap. - It's about making people feel seen. After 1000+ product meetings, here's what I've learned 👇 1️⃣ The VOICE Framework that never fails: V - Validate every perspective O - Organize pre-meeting inputs I - Involve before inviting C - Capture actions clearly E - End with clear next steps 2️⃣ Meeting Magic Formula: 30% Presentation 40% Discussion 30% Decision-making 3️⃣ My non-negotiables: - No meeting without agenda - Everyone speaks in first 10 mins - Park lot for off-topic items - 48-hour follow-up rule 🔥 Silent voting before vocal voting Prevents influence bias The loudest voice isn't always right But every voice deserves to be heard.

Here’s an unpopular but surprisingly effective method: introduce a “silent brainstorming” session where everyone writes down their thoughts and priorities before anyone speaks. Why? Because the loudest voice often dominates, and this levels the playing field. Then, go around the room and force everyone to share one key point. No skipping. It’s awkward, sure, but it works! Even the quiet folks get heard, and the talkers realize they don’t own the room. Pro-tip: it keeps the session moving without turning into a debate club!

To ensure all stakeholders feel heard and valued during product roadmap planning, actively involve them by creating a collaborative environment. Encourage open discussions, ask for input on priorities, and validate their concerns. For instance as a Product Owner, during a recent sprint planning, I organised a retrospective with cross-functional teams to gather feedback on blockers, ensuring developers’ concerns about technical debt were addressed. By actively listening, acknowledging contributions, and balancing various perspectives, I build trust and foster a sense of ownership in the product’s direction.

To ensure all stakeholders feel heard and valued in product roadmap planning meetings: Encourage Open Dialogue: Invite everyone to share their thoughts and ideas. Active Listening: Show genuine interest in their input by summarizing and reflecting back what you hear. Equal Participation: Ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak, avoiding dominance by a few voices. Acknowledge Contributions: Recognize and appreciate each person’s input. Follow-Up: Address feedback and concerns in subsequent meetings to show their input is valued and considered.

Roadmap meetings are interesting as this is where all stakeholders can converge and share their vision for the product. Here, I like to create an open, respectful and collaborative environment where everyone can weigh in on their requests and express concerns. I ensure the roadmap is visible to all so that everyone can see how their area affects the other. Setting an agenda is helpful especially if there is an overarching theme (market shift, change in regulatory/legal compliance, etc.). This helps align the team towards solving an issue that affects everyone. When each stakeholder contributes, express gratitude because often times information shared is critical to the product's success and can help you avoid future threats.

One of the key things is to define what a "stakeholder" is. The term is often more exclusively pointed at higher managment and include "decision maker" often in its description. Level set the effort by ensuring that any member with a voice regardless of their role or title are empowered by ensuring they are heard, recognized, and rewarded.

🎯 Product Leadership Planning Session Important: 1️⃣ Before the meeting: Early project distribution Collect feedback via quick surveys Set clear expectations 2️⃣ In the Meeting: First 10 minutes: everyone speaks Use silent vote to avoid points Note any superfluous ideas about the project for later. 3️⃣ Magic formula: 30% current 40% Discussion 30% off 🔑 Pro tip: There is no meeting without a purpose Record all feedback Follow up in 48h Remember: the loudest voice is not always the right one, but every voice matters. #Product Management #Leadership #Executive #Product Development #Business Strategy

I'd emphasize on the below: Preparation: Distribute a clear agenda and pre-read materials in advance. Solicit input from stakeholders early to capture diverse perspectives and ensure everyone comes prepared. Facilitation: Lead discussions with a structured approach to prioritize based on agreed frameworks, ensuring balanced participation and mitigating dominance by any single voice. Accountability: Document key decisions, communicate rationale transparently, and follow up with clear next steps. Acknowledge every contribution, even for ideas that don’t move forward, by explaining how feedback was considered. This approach fosters trust, alignment, and a sense of ownership among stakeholders, driving better outcomes for the product and team.

To ensure all stakeholders feel heard and valued, Prioritize inclusive planning: • Empathy-Driven Discussions: Encourage open sharing of concerns, ideas, and priorities to foster a sense of ownership. • Visual Collaboration: Leverage tools like Trello or Miro to visualize ideas, track progress, and facilitate engagement. • Active Listening: Acknowledge and validate individual contributions to build trust and motivation. • Inclusive Decision-Making: Involve stakeholders in key decisions to ensure diverse perspectives are considered. By adopting these strategies, We can create an environment where every stakeholder feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to the product's success.