How can you use active listening to resolve conflict between product and marketing teams?

Active listening is a great skill when dealing with conflicts between Product and Marketing teams, but it is not enough. You need to show each side that you understand where they are coming from and speak their language. Be the mediator, attempting to find a compromise that allows for a middle ground where both sides make concessions while maintaining the core aspects of their ideas and approaches. Additionally, emphasize the need to work together and highlight the shared goal of making the product successful.

I think active listening is really important during the meetings and 1-on-1 talks. And for me it means that you need to focus on what being said, ask questions and follow the conversation with some ideas that came to your mind. It will be really insightful not only to share your opinion on the topic but brainstorm together with the speaker so that both of you can come to interesting discoveries together.

The simplest approach I've found to active listening is as simple as repeating back what was heard while demonstrating understanding and empathy. Progress can be made when all parties understand the other perspectives, even if there's disagreement.

Imagine product & marketing teams as roommates arguing over chores. Active listening is like stepping back, truly hearing each other's concerns ("What's frustrating you?"). It shows respect & understanding, building trust like good roommates do. This paves the way for resolving the conflict & finding a solution that works for both sides!

La escucha activa es una técnica de comunicación que implica prestar toda nuestra atención a lo que la otra persona está diciendo, comprendiendo su mensaje, respondiendo adecuadamente y recordando la información. No se trata solo de oír, sino de entender realmente el mensaje, los sentimientos y las intenciones del interlocutor. La escucha activa implica también evitar cualquier tipo de distracción mientras el otro habla, así como posponer el juicio y evitar interrumpir. Es un componente esencial de una comunicación efectiva, ya que facilita el entendimiento mutuo y construye una base sólida para relaciones saludables y productivas, tanto en el ámbito personal como profesional.

Building a new product or feature requires cross-team collaboration. Synergy of several people will bring the company to the results that they expect. And you should act in a team where other opinions matter. Listen carefully to others, understand their point of view and ask right questions. If you show your colleague high interest in his or her job, it will bring trust between both of you and you will get a new spine of collaboration.

Simply put, you can't read someone's mind. As much as anyone may consider one to be a leader, subject matter expert or professional, there is always going to be an opportunity to learn something new from another perspective. I've seen one too many times someone get dismissed when there could have been greater efforts in trying to hear another point of view; It's easy to forget that others may not be as capable of expressing thoughts as well as others, while also factoring in a myriad of factors that may not make it easy to share inputs. The more we show an openness & a willingness to listen, whether it's through probing for other views often, acknowledgement or being curious, we can contribute to an environment of dynamic perspectives.

Imagine product & marketing as friends planning a party. One wants fancy music, the other fun games. Ignoring leads to a fight! But actively listening ("I hear you want a classy vibe, and you want fun activities - what if we...") helps find common ground (upbeat music & interactive games) and a solution that makes everyone happy. It's about understanding, not arguing, for a successful party (product launch)!

La escucha activa permite construir confianza y respeto entre interlocutores. Por ejemplo, entre equipos de ventas y marketing, promueve un ambiente de trabajo colaborativo al asegurar que todos se sienten escuchados y valorados, crucial para identificar y resolver conflictos de forma efectiva, ya que al entender realmente las preocupaciones y necesidades de cada parte, se pueden encontrar soluciones que satisfagan a todos. Además, contribuye a disminuir malentendidos y suposiciones incorrectas, elementos comunes en la gestación de conflictos. Al fomentar una comunicación clara y abierta, se facilita la alineación de objetivos y se mejora la coordinación entre equipos, lo que resulta en una mayor eficiencia y productividad en los proyectos.

People want and need to be heard. Even if a solution can't be found in the current conversation, progress is made acknowledging a position. There are often valid reasons why a product team made a particular decision, and knowing that, marketing can better help ratify.

Active listening is crucial when there is a team to work on common project or goal. There is no way to succeed whole arguing and blaming each other. It is necessary to present your idea with clear messaging and data to support. And then calmly answering all the questions. And on the other hand it's crucial to be a good listener to the other team and collegues. They may also have great ideas and thoughts to share. And maybe it will be a significant insight for your mutual work. So, just be attentive, ask specific questions and demonstrate solid understanding at the end by summarizing the meeting notes and tasks for all teams.

Product and marketing can be compared to siblings who are constantly arguing while planning a trip. Active listening is akin to taking a moment to calm down, putting away distractions, and genuinely listening to each other's thoughts and ideas. It is important to show respect by nodding, smiling, and demonstrating that you care about their opinions. To ensure comprehension, summarize their ideas and confirm understanding. Additionally, express your own thoughts clearly, finding a balance between adventure and relaxation. Appreciate their perspective and ask open-ended questions to further understand their preferences. Remember, the goal is to understand each other, not to win, in order to have a successful product launch.

One thing not contained in this article, that I find very useful, is that you have to listen without trying to create your response or question. It's common that when we are listening to the other person we are already thinking about the counter-argument or even the follow up question. This is a distraction to internalize the information that is being shared with us. Wait until the other person is done to think about follow up questions or comments.

Here's step 1: Ask ChatGPT to summarize how to practice active listening in three steps. Then after following those steps, continue to use ChatGPT to better understand the position of other people in the conversation.

Mon experience d’écoute active repose notamment sur l’observation de l’orientation du regard de mon interlocuteur . Regard à sa gauche référence au passé, Regard à droite référence au futur . J’analyse la cohérence entre les propos et le regard . Exemple référence au passé avec son regard à droite ( futur) forte probalité de mensonge . CQFD PNL orientation du regard

actively listening and seeking to understand each other's perspectives, product and product marketing teams can work together more effectively. It is important to remember that both teams have the same goal of creating a successful product. - Practice active listening techniques, such as asking open-ended questions and summarizing the other person's points. - Show empathy and acknowledge the other person's feelings. - Use "I" statements instead of "you" statements when expressing thoughts and feelings.

Imagine product & marketing as friends planning a movie night. Product wants a scary movie, marketing a comedy. Actively listen ("I hear you want chills, and you want laughs - what scares you?"). Understand their reasons (e.g., product wants suspense, marketing fears alienating viewers). Share your thoughts ("I enjoy a good laugh, but maybe a light thriller?"). Find common ground (e.g., a suspenseful comedy) and collaborate ("What movies fit both our ideas?"). Active listening helps bridge the gap, like finding the perfect movie for a fun night together (successful product launch)!

Seguir un enfoque estructurado que permita a ambos expresar sus puntos de vista y encontrar un terreno común: 1. Organizar Sesiones de Escucha donde los miembros de ambos equipos puedan expresar sus preocupaciones y expectativas sin interrupciones. 2. Identificar Necesidades y Objetivos Comunes usando la escucha activa, descubrir los objetivos compartidos y las necesidades de ambos equipos: búsqueda de soluciones. 3. Fomentar la Empatía, entendiendo los desafíos y limitaciones de cada equipo mediante la escucha activa, permitiendo la comprensión de las dificultades y expectativas. 4. Desarrollar un Plan de Acción Conjunto en el que abordar los conflictos identificados, incluir pasos concretos, responsabilidades claras y plazos definidos.

In situations where opinions diverge on features, messaging, or resource allocation, active listening enables a deeper understanding of concerns and expectations. Everyone should have an approach to coming to common ground and not emphasizing the challenges. By fostering open dialogue, teams can collaboratively find balanced solutions that align with strategic goals.

Breathe deeply, silence your phone, and settle into a calm, distraction-free space. Set aside personal biases and approach the conversation with genuine curiosity. Make eye contact, nod attentively, and avoid fidgeting or looking away. Notice their body language, tone, and emotions, and consider what they might be expressing nonverbally. Resist the urge to interrupt. Let them finish their thought. Briefly summarize what you heard to ensure understanding. Ask clarifying questions. Avoid dismissive phrases like "Don't worry about it" or "I know how you feel." Offer words of support and understanding. Once you've truly heard them, share your thoughts and feelings respectfully, building on their points rather than contradicting them.

The root cause of conflict is "Us" vs. "Them"! When you shift the focus from conflicting department KPIs to shared KPIs and goals, conflict resolution becomes achievable. Both product and marketing teams are incredibly talented, and their strengths complement each other. By actively listening to each other's perspectives, concerns, and objectives, we can uncover the common ground that unites us. When product and marketing teams unite under common goals, the result is not just conflict resolution, but also a powerful synergy that drives the entire organization forward.

It's important to work backwards from how individuals are rewarded. How is the product person measured? Is there alignment to how the marketing person is measured? This mutual understanding of motivation can go a long way in forming alignment.

A lot of the conflicts can be avoided or mitigated if a clear and robust Marketing Plan is developed upfront. This is a document that captures the WHY, WHAT, HOW and WHEN of the marketing activities. And all good Marketing Plans clearly state the role of Product.

I have been in companies where Product Marketing reports into the Chief Marketing Officer, and also where it reports into the Chief Product Officer. Of course Product Marketing is 100% Product and 100% Marketing, so we can always make it work. Once when a conflict arose, I used the teachings of Stephen Covey - Seek first to understand, then to be understood. I reflected back to each party what they were saying, but in my own words. Once they felt understood, we could discuss the gaps and how to bridge them. Key takeaway - people don't care what you know until they know that you care.

Active listening is a powerful communication skill that can be instrumental in resolving conflicts between product and marketing teams. Here's how you can apply active listening to address and resolve conflicts effectively: Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure a comfortable and private setting for discussions. Demonstrate openness and willingness to listen without judgment. Show Genuine Interest: Demonstrate sincere curiosity about the concerns and perspectives of both the product and marketing teams. Ask open-ended questions to encourage team members to express themselves fully. Paraphrase and Summarize: Repeat back what you've heard to confirm understanding.