Would you rather focus your roadmap on user demand or internal vision? That's the question we recently discussed with Rich Sheridan, CEO at Menlo Innovations.

Rich chooses user demand because customers are the experts on the problems you are trying to solve. But he also leaves room for visionary leadership. After all, customers can tell you where the shoe pinches, but they may not sketch the next sneaker.

For CEOs thinking about writing a book, there is a useful parallel. Listen closely to what your audience needs, then bring the vision and experience only you can provide. That combination turns a book from a lengthy corporate brochure into something people may actually read.

Check out more such insights in my bestselling business book Wisdom From Wizards.

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