One-Page Quick Guide for Effective Participation

FOR CPOs & PRODUCT LEADERS

ASK. LISTEN. AMPLIFY.

Top 5 Engagement Techniques

1. Open technical dialogue: "What aspects of these features interest or concern you technically?"
2. Surface hidden complexity: "Where might we be overlooking technical challenges in this approach?"
3. Validate confidence: "On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you in delivering this? What would raise your confidence?"
4. Explore alternatives: "Are there different technical approaches that might deliver better long-term outcomes?"
5. Clarify dependencies: "What specifically do you need from other teams to succeed, and by when?"

When to Intervene

• When technical voices are silent during feature discussions
• When teams agree quickly without technical debate
• When dependencies are mentioned without specifics
• When confidence seems artificially high without risk discussion
• When implementation is discussed without alternatives

Building Psychological Safety

• Position yourself as a collaborator, not an evaluator
• Acknowledge and validate technical concerns openly
• Start with quiet or newer team members by name