Leaders Unscripted

Conversations with leaders about the challenges they’ve faced and what they’ve learned.

Listen

28: Being a Change Agent CPO with Founder of Women in Product UK, Namrata Sarmah

Episode cover image

When Namrata Sarmah became a CPO, the job role didn’t really exist the way that it does today. Two CPO roles later, and she’s using her power to transform product teams.

INTO University Partnerships marked a vital role in her journey, getting comfortable with the unteachable nature of the CPO position. She’s also the founder of Women in Product UK.

She joins us on Leaders Unscripted to uncover how CPOs become change agents, which unexpected aspect of strategy is hardest, and embracing the transformational nature of the job.

This Episode Covers:

  • How Namrata developed naturally into the CPO role
  • Why nobody can truly teach you how to become a successful CPO
  • Picking your battles
  • The unexpected, hardest aspect of strategy, and a need to be flexible with it
  • Advice for other CPOs finding themselves as a change agent
Back then there was no CPO job title. I don't think there was a CPO role back then. The CTO was like the topmost job for anybody in digital, and I never really wanted to be a CTO.” - 6:30 - Namrata Sarmah
“You can’t possibly plan how to be a CPO, and nobody can really teach you either. You have to be a very good observer, listener, and decision maker.” - 12:20 - Namrata Sarmah
“Pick your battles. You’ll have 10 problems or challenges a day, and you cannot solve all 10, so pick your top three to solve today.” - 19:05 - Namrata Sarmah
“I switch context five or six times a day. It depends on the person, but I love it. I love it, because I think I get to manage one of my newest teams, digital community.” - 24:25 - Namrata Sarmah
“As a product team, we are so used to living by the roadmap, quarter to quarter, and we don't realise how much change we have actually made in organisations. But then when we rewind 12 or 24 months, that's when you realise the impact.” - 37:15 - Namrata Sarmah

Links & References:

Constellary: https://www.constellaryhq.com/

Suzan Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanbond/

Namrata Sarmah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namratasarmah/

Women in Product UK: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-product-uk/