Managing Up: A Guide for Product People to Influence Leadership | A Keynote Address By Petra Wille

As a product person, your job isn't just about managing the team below you or the backlog in front of you—it’s also about effectively influencing the leadership above you. But how do you bridge the gap when stakeholders and executives speak a different language? In this session from Inspire Africa Conference 2026, renowned product leadership coach Petra Wille breaks down the art and science of Managing Up. Drawing from years of coaching product leaders globally, Petra shares practical frameworks to help product managers understand what drives executive decision-making, align product goals with business strategy, and build the influence needed to shape organizational direction. Subscribe to our YouTube channel -    / @innovateafricafoundation   Join our programs - https://innovateafricafoundation.org/contact Follow us across social media Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildwithiaforg/ X - https://x.com/iaforg LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovate-... #InnovateAfricaFoundation #WorkNigeria #InspireAfricaCon2026 #ProductManagement