Want to Earn Leadership’s Trust?
Start with this simple framework with Nico Posner
The ‘No Surprises’ Rule for Influencing Upwards
As a product leader, you’re constantly navigating complex stakeholder relationships while building great products. But when it comes to influencing upwards, the stakes are higher. Your ability to align with senior leadership can make or break your initiatives. In this issue, we unpack the “No Surprises” rule with seasoned product leader Nico Posner, who shares practical frameworks and battle-tested advice for managing expectations and fostering trust at the top.
Winning Trust and Keeping It
Influencing upwards isn’t just about presenting great ideas—it’s about building and maintaining trust. According to Nico, “One of the fastest ways to reduce leadership credibility is surprise problems that should have been identified earlier and communicated earlier.” Leadership needs to trust that you’ve got a handle on your domain and that you’ll keep them informed before problems escalate.
The stakes are especially high for product leaders because surprises often have a ripple effect: missed milestones, budget overruns, or shaken confidence in their decision-making.
Progress, Problems, and Plans (PPP) Framework
Nico champions a straightforward yet powerful approach to prevent surprises: the PPP framework. Every week, he updates stakeholders on:
Progress: What’s been achieved since the last update?
Problems: Key challenges, distinguishing between issues under control (awareness problems) and those requiring help (escalation problems).
Plans: Upcoming priorities and next steps.
This consistent communication creates a transparent environment where leadership knows what to expect. Nico explains: “It helps build confidence that even if they don’t have the time to check in with you one-on-one, they can go to your weekly report, spend five minutes, and be up to date on the key points.”
Make PPP Your Default Communication Tool
Using the PPP framework ensures stakeholders are never blindsided by last-minute escalations. It also helps product leaders document progress over time, making performance reviews and team assessments more data-driven. By adopting this habit, you cultivate a reputation for clarity, foresight, and reliability.
Key Steps to Implement the 'No Surprises' Rule
Adopt a Weekly Cadence: Send your PPP updates weekly, even if you’re not explicitly asked for them. Leadership values consistency.
Be Concise but Comprehensive: Focus on key highlights. Nico notes, “The goal is not to make a laundry list but to summarise the key aspects.”
Differentiate Problem Types: Clearly state whether a problem is under control or requires help. This nuance shows you’re on top of things while giving leadership the chance to step in when needed.
Roll It Up Across Teams: Have your direct reports use the same framework. This ensures alignment across your entire area of responsibility.
Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Update: Consistency is key. Sporadic updates can lead to a loss of trust.
Drowning in Details: Leadership wants clarity, not every small detail. Distill your points into actionable insights.
Ignoring Escalation: Downplaying issues that require help will backfire. Always flag problems before they spiral.
Build Trust, Influence Effectively
For growing product leaders, the “No Surprises” rule is the secret weapon for fostering trust with senior stakeholders and aligning their work with organisational goals. For emerging product leaders, the PPP framework is a pragmatic first step to mastering clear, effective communication with leadership.
Whether you’re navigating tight deadlines, tough decisions, or just trying to get that next big idea funded, remember this: clarity and trust are your greatest tools. As Nico aptly puts it, “Clear communication is really the essence of influencing upwards.”
Now, it’s your turn. Start practising the PPP framework this week, and watch how it transforms your ability to lead and influence.