How the gift of unstinting support early in my career inspired me to start paying it forward

Working alongside an inspirational mentor taught Ping Identity product manager Diana Jouard the importance of building authentic relationships and uplifting others

In the software industry, there are few job titles more ambiguous than 'product manager'. If something doesn't appear to be anyone's responsibility, it's more than likely yours, whether that task appears in your job description or not!

Typically, in this role, you're trying to effect change across every arm of the company but without the authority to command it. As an individual contributor with no direct reports, you need to rely on influence and advocacy to get people on side and invested in achieving the same positive outcomes you're striving for.

That can be a daunting proposition, particularly for an early career professional who's still finding their feet in the professional world and, very often, having to engage with colleagues who are considerably older and more senior.

Watch and learn

I'll always be grateful for the extraordinary support I received from one of Ping's founding employees when I joined the company in an entry level product manager role back in 2021. Working alongside him was a master class in the art of leveraging relationships to get things done. So much so that I began calling him Ganesha, in honour of the Hindu deity who is worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles, and whose name is traditionally invoked at the commencement of new endeavours.

What I took away was his gift of influence and the ability to 'bring his whole self to work' rather than check his big personality at the door. He showed me how to build rapport and inspire confidence in others by fostering genuine relationships with them in the workplace. 

This example gave me the confidence to do the same – letting the people I worked alongside see who I was, and getting to know them as individuals as well as colleagues. Forging those ties doesn't only make collaboration smoother, it makes accomplishing things together much more enjoyable and rewarding.

Courage and candour

A key element of authenticity is honesty and I continue to learn how vital that is for not only getting things done, but getting them back on track when they're heading in the wrong direction.

Being a successful contributor and leader means not being afraid to say hard things when the occasion calls for it.  While that may never be a task to be relished, avoidance and obfuscation are not the answer. They make it more difficult than it needs to be, to resolve conflict and issues.

Being open and candid with people is the surest way to reach consensus, make progress and preserve and strengthen working relationships that may be being tested at the moment. 

Sharing the lessons

These are lessons I've tried to share as I've moved up the ranks into more senior roles and begun acting as a mentor to two other early career professionals within our organisation. 

Over a period of a couple of years, I've watched those individuals grow in confidence and competence, to the point they've felt comfortable raising their hands to take on greater responsibility and new challenges. Being able to play a small part in their growth journeys has been incredibly rewarding for me, as I believe it is for anyone who commits to supporting others professionally and personally.

Having mentors that are generous with their time and wisdom have also inspired me to establish a dedicated group for product managers; a forum where we can come together to talk about the work we do and discuss new theories on how to succeed in this space. 

The theme of International Women's Day this year is 'give to gain'. As we prepare to mark the occasion, I can personally attest to the rewards that accrue when you do the former.