Scaling Leadership Without Burning Out
Lessons from Auriga Martin
In this issue of The Confident Product Leader, we sit down with Auriga Martin, a whirlwind of energy and a true advocate for purpose-driven leadership. As a fractional CEO and a self-proclaimed “catalyst,” Auriga has mastered the art of juggling diverse roles and aligning them with her purpose. Whether you're plotting your path to VP or refining your leadership portfolio as a product leader, there’s something here for you.
Diversifying Without Burning Out
Leadership can feel like an endless tightrope walk: balancing competing priorities, scaling teams, and ensuring personal growth. For the growing product leader, the challenge is to sustain energy while leading at scale. For the emerging product leader, it’s about crafting a career trajectory that blends passion and growth. The key, as Auriga puts it, is treating your career as a “portfolio of pursuits”.
Creating a Portfolio of Purpose
Auriga embodies the portfolio mindset. She thrives on purpose-based initiatives, bridging public and private sectors, coaching founders, and fostering female leadership. “I love to catalyse and disrupt in a positive way,” she shares. “When you find purpose and align with groups of humans, you will always find profit.”
For her, the secret to managing multiple pursuits lies in surrounding herself with balanced teams. “I hire pragmatists everywhere I go... It keeps us grounded while we push boundaries,” she explains.
Structuring Your Portfolio
A portfolio-driven career isn’t about doing everything; it’s about aligning your work with what energises you. Auriga’s approach includes:
Purpose-first Alignment: Ensure every role or project aligns with your values. As Auriga says, “Sustainable business models stand on their own two feet when they align with purpose.”
Balancing Teams: Complement your energy with team members who bring structure and pragmatism.
Building Resilience: Reflect on failures and celebrate progress to stay grounded.
For emerging leaders, she emphasises the importance of building a backup plan—always investing in “Plan B and C” to hedge against setbacks.
Key Steps
Map Your Interests: Identify roles or projects that energise and excite you.
Audit Your Network: Cultivate a “personal board” of mentors and peers to keep you accountable and inspired.
Celebrate Wins: Document and reflect on milestones to sustain momentum.
Balance Your Team: Hire and collaborate with individuals who complement your style and bring stability.
Mistakes to Avoid
Taking On Too Much: Avoid being the whirlwind that breeds chaos. Instead, focus on structured growth.
Neglecting Team Dynamics: A portfolio leader isn’t a lone ranger. Ensure your team is equally aligned and engaged.
Chasing Vaporware: Align your North Star with achievable outcomes, avoiding overpromised ambitions.
Conclusion
Balancing diverse pursuits isn’t just about adding more to your plate—it’s about crafting a career that energises and sustains you while delivering real impact. As Auriga puts it, “Find people smarter than you and stick to them like glue. Build a portfolio of interests and always invest in your growth.”
Are you ready to craft your portfolio of pursuits? Start by aligning your ambitions with your purpose, and watch your leadership thrive.