What do you do if you want to connect with influential product development thought leaders?

Attend workshops face to face. Attend webinars, follow blogs, vlogs and posts of thought leaders. Look for opportunities to collaborate.

Connecting with influential leaders in product development starts with meaningful online engagement. By actively following their blogs, social media, and articles, and contributing thoughtful comments, you make yourself known. It's about adding value to the conversation, showcasing your insights, and demonstrating a genuine interest in their expertise. This approach not only builds visibility but fosters a deeper understanding of their work and perspectives, paving the way for meaningful connections in the field of product development.

Research and Identify Thought Leaders: Start by researching and identifying influential thought leaders in the product development industry. Look for individuals who have a strong presence in the field, publish insightful content, speak at conferences, and contribute to industry discussions through blogs, podcasts, or social media. Follow Them Online: Follow thought leaders on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry-specific forums. Engage with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts. This can help you stay updated on their latest insights and activities.

Any kind of engagement with a person whose sharing the same role as you is special and can help share insights. The best form of engagement in today’s world is engage online. It can be with the PM from different organisation or the same organisation looking at a different product. Globalisation in the form of thought sharing will be impactful and relevant for a PM who wants to engage with influential PM.

To begin your journey of connecting with product development thought leaders, start by engaging with them online. Follow their blogs, social media profiles, and professional articles. Comment thoughtfully on their posts to show genuine interest in their work. This not only puts you on their radar but also helps you understand their interests and expertise. Remember to provide insightful contributions to discussions rather than just praise, as this demonstrates your own knowledge and eagerness to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Of course, meeting your peers is the best way to develop a network. Remember, you never know when a contact comes in handy. Where do you meet these peers? If you're only starting your networking journey it's wise to take it easy. .Join active LinkedIn and Meetup groups preferably in the city or country where you work. Look for events that pique your interest in these groups and start attending them. PS: Don't forget to create your digital business cards before the event.

Attending events is an excellent way to build contact with industry leaders. You can learn from their sessions, connect with them individually and learn from their journeys. This also gives you the opportunity to engage in current conversations, discuss trends and understand their perspectives on the same. You can also request for their opinion on something you are building now, the best way to approach a particular problem, and what they would have done differently to address a situation.

Product development conferences, workshops, and seminars are excellent venues to meet thought leaders in person. Prior to attending these events, research the speakers and prepare questions or discussion points that are relevant to their work. When you approach them, be concise and respectful of their time. Use this opportunity to make a memorable impression by articulating your interest in their work and how it aligns with your own professional pursuits.

Offering value can be as simple as networking with peers in the product development space who are seeking mentorship opportunities. There may also be a conference or event they are unaware of. Communicating the event to the peer demonstrates your vested interest in their development as well.