What does it really take to grow as a leader in product? The answer often lies in the invisible, unglamorous, and deeply human work—navigating ambiguity, managing people dynamics, influencing without authority, and showing up with presence under pressure. In this candid and empowering session, product leaders explore the skills no one teaches you but everyone needs to master. From unspoken expectations to emotional resilience, these talks uncover what leadership really looks like behind the roadmap.

Talks in this session:

The Hidden Discipline Behind Great Product Leadership
Sandy Huang, VP of Product, Coach & Advisor
Product leadership takes vision, strategy, and execution. But behind the frameworks and roadmaps lies a deeper discipline–a force that determines whether you thrive or stall, particularly in the AI era. In this talk, Sandy reveals that discipline, showing how to unlock it to drive clarity, amplify influence, and create momentum—and how mastering it takes leaders from good to great.

The Invisible Work of Product Leadership      
Diya Parial, Director of Product, Payments Risk and Compliance, Airbnb
Every product leader knows that the job isn’t just roadmaps and releases. The hardest and most impactful work often happens behind the scenes: navigating people dynamics, building trust, aligning stakeholders, and managing unspoken expectations. These are the moments that rarely make it into job descriptions but ultimately determine whether products and leaders succeed or stall.

In this session, Diya will unpack the “invisible work” of product leadership: how to balance outcomes with relationships, how to influence without authority, and how to create clarity amidst competing priorities. Hear candid insights, practical tactics, and gain a renewed confidence in tackling the unseen challenges that define great leadership.

Present & Powerful: Redefining Strength In Product Leadership
Ezinne Udezue, Principal, ProductMind
Product leadership today comes with relentless demands, and for women in particular, the pressure and burnout rates can be overwhelming. But the most radical act isn’t working harder; it’s working like an elite athlete. Athletes know that peak performance depends on recovery, boundaries, and sustainable practices, not endless grind.

This talk reframes “self-care” from a selfish luxury to a competitive necessity. Drawing on the pillars of courage, community, and clarity, explore how to build an operating model that keeps you present and powerful when your team needs you most.