Five steps to define and drive career growth in 2026
How taking action in Q1 has a compounding effect
As product leaders, the final months of 2025 were likely a busy blur of reviews, growth retrospectives, and strategic planning for 2026.
But now that we’ve turned the calendar, how many of us have applied the same level of intention to our own growth strategies?
If that focus slipped through the cracks (or you’d simply welcome a sharper lens on your goals), these five steps will help you gain clarity on where you want to go this year and how to get there.
These are not quick prompts. They’re ambitious questions designed to surface what truly matters and guide what you should make time for in Q1 to set a strong trajectory for the rest of the year.
1. Block out time to do this work - now
Compound value matters here - the earlier you start, the longer you have to reap the benefits of your early actions and for their impact to multiply.
Realistically, you’re also not going to get any less busy in 2026.
So take 30 minutes this week to work through these questions.
2. Define the career outcome that matters most
Key question to answer: What is the single most important career outcome I want by the end of 2026 and how will I measure it?
To get specific, ask yourself:
What does success look like by December 2026, independent of title or company? What will I be doing, how will I feel, and what will my days look like?
Which 1 - 3 long-term career bets am I actively making (e.g., CPO track, founder path, deep specialist)? Does my current role genuinely move me toward them?
Which of my core values must be present in my work next year and where am I currently misaligned?
These questions help you move beyond vague aspirations like “grow in leadership” to something measurable, values-aligned, and motivating.
3. Map the leverage moves for Q1
Key question to answer: Which three moves in Q1 (conversations, initiatives, skills, or visibility plays) will most increase the odds of that outcome?
To refine these moves, explore:
Which capabilities have become table stakes for senior product leaders in 2026 (AI literacy, portfolio thinking, storytelling, etc.)? Where is my biggest development gap?
If someone took over my current role tomorrow, what would they improve within three months? What does that reveal about my development areas?
How do you want my team to grow in 2026, and which shifts in my leadership behavior will enable that?
What three words do I want other senior leaders to associate with me and what three would they actually use today?
Where might I currently be “out of sight, out of mind” with people who can influence your success? How can I change that?
Prioritize actions which compound - ie those that increase your visibility, stretch your skills, and strengthen your professional narrative.
4. Build your personal board of directors
Key question to answer: Who do I need in my “personal board of directors” this year to strengthen your impact and what specific asks will I bring to them?
No ambitious product leader succeeds in isolation. Consider:
Where could fresh influence, challenge, or inspiration make the biggest difference?
Who offered the most constructive feedback last year and how will I re-engage them this year?
Where am I missing people to provide the input I need and how could I find them?
How will I ensure I actually act on the feedback I receive?
Where can I support the growth of others by joining their “boards”?
Intention is what transforms your network into a source of real acceleration but it takes consistency and openness to challenge.
5. Turn reflection into action
Insight only creates impact if you turn it into deliberate next steps.
Here’s how to make your reflection tangible:
Document your key 2026 outcome, priority Q1 moves and next steps to strengthen your personal board.
Define leading actions. For each goal, list 1 or 2 weekly actions or habits that move you steadily toward it and get them into your calendar or task list.
Create your feedback loop. Share your goals with a mentor or peer. Ask them to hold you accountable for visible progress by March.
Review monthly. End each month by checking in: What did I move forward? What needs to shift next? Where am I finding this hard?
Treat this as a working document, not a one-time exercise to keep momentum.
We’d love to hear what you’re committing to in 2026 - what’s key for you in Q1?
More about us
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An example or further detail into each section would have been great as this is quite a hard exercise to do just by following questions.