Becoming a CPO: Insights from Navya Rehani Gupta

Key Takeaways

• Self-advocacy is crucial for career advancement. Women should not be shy about advocating for themselves and making their aspirations known to others.
• Building relationships and finding sponsors is essential. Reach out to former bosses, mentors, and leaders who can advocate for you and provide guidance.
• To become a successful CPO, it is important to work on the business, not just in the business. Understand the financials, tie your work to business outcomes, and create a clear ROI model.

The Role of a CPO

The journey to becoming a Chief Product Officer (CPO) is a challenging one, but it can be incredibly rewarding. As Navya Rehani Gupta, CPO at Peak.com, explains, a CPO is a C-level executive responsible for making decisions that have a company-wide impact. Unlike other product leadership roles, the CPO focuses on business-level decisions, understanding financials, customer perspectives, and market dynamics. The CPO’s role is both strategic and tactical, with a focus on driving overall growth and profitability.

Navya’s Journey to Becoming a CPO

Navya’s desire to become a CPO began twelve years ago when she was in business school. She created a ten-year career plan, setting a goal to enter the C-suite. Over the years, she navigated her way from financial services back to the tech industry, dropping titles to focus on her product craft. She attended webinars and reached out to mentors to understand the CPO role better. She even advocated for creating a CPO role at her startup, aligning her career goals with the company’s needs. Navya’s journey highlights the importance of self-advocacy and perseverance in achieving career goals.

Tips for Women Wanting to Become CPOs

Navya offers several valuable tips for women aspiring to become CPOs. First and foremost, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy. Women should not be shy about advocating for themselves and making their career aspirations known to others. Additionally, Navya advises women to make their work visible. Instead of going dark and solely focusing on their tasks, they should ensure that the impact of their work is visible to others. This visibility can help them be considered for new opportunities and promotions.

Another crucial tip Navya shares is the importance of finding sponsors. While mentors are valuable, sponsors are the ones who advocate for you in the room where decisions are made. Navya suggests reaching out to former bosses, leaders, or peers who have shown trust in your abilities. Be specific in your asks and offer to help them in return. Building relationships and finding sponsors can significantly impact your career trajectory.

Balancing Motherhood and Career

As a working mother, Navya understands the challenges of balancing motherhood and a successful career. She believes that being a parent can actually make you a better executive, as it teaches you skills such as selflessness, prioritization, negotiation, and adaptability. Navya advises working mothers to pick the right company and work environment that supports their needs. Setting clear boundaries and outsourcing tasks when possible can also help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Navya encourages women not to strive for a perfect 50-50 split between work and family but to aim for harmony instead.

Working on the Business, Not Just in the Business

One of the key insights Navya shares is the importance of working on the business, not just in the business. Product managers often get caught up in solving customer problems and focusing on features, neglecting the bigger picture. Navya advises product managers to zoom out and understand the end-to-end business. This includes tying their work to financial outcomes and core metrics that the company cares about. By doing so, product managers can demonstrate their business acumen and strategic thinking, which are essential for advancing to leadership roles.

Developing Business Acumen

For individuals with technical backgrounds, developing business acumen can be a challenge. Navya suggests approaching the learning process with curiosity and a problem-solving mindset. Take the initiative to understand financial terms and concepts by leveraging internal and external resources. Reach out to finance teams for guidance and ask specific questions about how your work ties to financial outcomes. By continuously learning and understanding the financial aspects of your role, you can become a more effective leader and contribute to the overall success of the business.

Conclusion

Becoming a CPO requires self-advocacy, relationship-building, and a strong business acumen. Navya Rehani Gupta’s journey to becoming a CPO highlights the importance of advocating for oneself, finding sponsors, and working on the business, not just in the business. Balancing motherhood and a successful career is possible with clear boundaries and prioritization. By continuously learning and understanding the financial aspects of your role, you can become a strategic leader who drives growth and profitability.