Do you really want to be a Product Manager?
Is Product Management a good fit for you? Key questions to ask yourself to find out.
Do you find yourself constantly analyzing how products could be improved? Are you passionate about understanding the needs and preferences of consumers? If so, you may be wondering if a career as a Product Manager is right for you.
There’s no doubt the role of a product manager has become very popular in recent years, as companies increasingly recognize the importance of delivering high-quality and user-centric products, and there’s a good reason for that!
What’s great about being a Product Manager?
Being a Product Manager offers a unique opportunity to have a significant impact on the success of a product and the company as a whole. It requires a combination of technical knowledge, business acumen, and good communication skills.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a PM can also vary based on the product's stage in its lifecycle. For example, as a Product Manager, you will be responsible for defining the product strategy, conducting market research, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ultimately ensuring the product meets the needs of customers.
All of this sounds great, yet becoming a PM also comes with its challenges. It requires a deep understanding of technology, market trends, and consumer behavior. You will need to constantly stay updated on industry developments and be able to analyze data and make data-driven decisions.
As a Product Manager, you will often find yourself managing competing priorities and making challenging trade-offs. You will need to balance the needs and wants of customers with the resources and constraints of the company. This can sometimes be a high-pressure role, as the success of the product and the company's revenue may depend on your decisions.
So how to be sure if this challenging role fits you?
This set of thought-provoking questions will help you assess your desire to become a Product Manager. For each question, I'll provide a short explanation, suggest areas for improvement, and recommend books and resources to aid in your self-assessment.
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1. Why Do I Want to Be a Product Manager?
Understanding your motivation is crucial. It helps you stay committed in the long run, even when facing challenges. If your motivation aligns with the role's core values, such as solving user problems and driving innovation, you're more likely to find fulfillment in your career.
Advice: Reflect on your motivations regularly, seeking clarity. Engage in informational interviews with current Product Managers to gain insights into their motivations and experiences.
Resources:
"Drive" by Daniel H. Pink explores the surprising truth about what motivates us.
“Empowered” by Marty Cagan and Chris Jones is a written master class that guides ordinary people to create extraordinary products.
Blogs and podcasts featuring Product Managers share their personal journeys and motivations.
2. Does Solving Complex Problems Feel Exciting?
Product Managers often deal with intricate challenges, from market competition to user needs. Being excited by problem-solving means you're well-suited for the role, as it's at the heart of what Product Managers do daily.
Advice: Work on solving complex problems through side projects, coding challenges, or strategy games. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance on problem-solving techniques.
Resources:
"Problem Solving 101" by Ken Watanabe provides a short and practical guide to problem-solving methods.
"Radical Product Thinking" by R. Dutt advocates for a vision-driven approach and presents a detailed guide on how to develop innovative products, challenging the common practice of iterative development.
3. How Well Do I Handle Ambiguity and Uncertainty?
Product development often involves uncertainty and rapidly changing circumstances. The ability to handle ambiguity and adapt to unexpected situations is vital for making informed decisions and staying on course.
Advice: Embrace uncertainty by taking on projects with unknown outcomes. Practice making decisions when faced with limited information.
Resources:
"Lean Startup" by Eric Ries discusses managing uncertainty in product development.
"Antifragile" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores the concept of thriving in uncertain environments.
4. Do I Like to Prioritize Tasks and Manage Time?
Prioritization is a fundamental aspect of product management. Product Managers must manage multiple tasks, prioritize them effectively, and allocate resources efficiently to achieve desired outcomes.
Advice: Develop time management skills through techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or using task management apps. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Resources:
“Make Time” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky provides a comprehensive approach to time management. A customizable strategy and practical tips for taking back control of your time, enabling you to prioritize and pursue the things that truly matter to you.
"Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy offers practical tips on task prioritization. Is all about overcoming procrastination and learning to manage your time.
5. Do I Care About Customer Centricity?
Customer centricity is a core value in product management. Caring about users' needs and experiences is essential for creating products that resonate with customers, drive loyalty, and succeed in the market.
Advice: Start or participate in user testing sessions to better understand customer perspectives. Regularly seek feedback from users and act on it.
Resources:
"The Lean Product and Lean Analytics" by Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll emphasize the importance of customer-centric product development.
"Continuous Discovery Habits" by Teresa Torres explores how product managers and designers can keep making a positive impact on their customers’ lives.
6. Am I Willing to Lead Cross-Functional Teams?
Product Managers serve as leaders who bridge gaps between various teams, ensuring alignment and collaboration. A willingness to lead cross-functional teams is vital for product success.
Advice: Develop leadership and team-building skills through courses, workshops, or by taking on collaborative projects. Practice active listening and empathy, you can even start with your own colleagues.
Resources:
"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek discusses leadership in a team context and explores the influence that neurochemicals have on the way people feel and consequently act.
"Crucial Conversations" by Al Switzler provide guidance on effective teamwork and communication. Learn techniques to handle such situations and shape them into becoming positive and solutions-oriented.
7. How Comfortable Am I with Data Analysis?
Data analysis informs decisions, measures product performance, and identifies areas for improvement. Comfort with data analysis enables Product Managers to make informed, data-driven choices.
Advice: Take online courses in data analysis or enroll in data science programs. Learn to use data analytics tools like Excel (like it or not, there's tons of companies using it), Google Analytics, or even basic SQL.
Resources:
"Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals" by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic focuses on the effective communication of data through data visualization, making it accessible to business professionals.
"The Model Thinker" by Scott E. Page is a guide to using models to make data talk. In a world inundated with information, it sheds some much-needed light on the patterns underlying the noise.
8. Can I Make Decisions Under Pressure?
Product Managers often work under tight deadlines and high-pressure situations. The ability to make sound decisions while under pressure is crucial for maintaining product momentum and achieving goals.
Advice: Develop decision-making skills by practicing scenarios with time constraints. Participate in simulations or role-play exercises.
Resources:
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman explores decision-making processes. Kahneman explains his contributions to our current understanding of psychology and behavioral economics.
"Decisive" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath provides strategies for making better decisions. It gives knowledgeable insight into how our decisions are formed and how to avoid making bad ones.
9. Am I Interested in Technology and Innovation?
Interest in technology and innovation is essential, as Product Managers are at the forefront of creating innovative products that leverage technology to meet user needs and solve problems.
Advice: Stay updated on tech trends through tech blogs, podcasts, and online courses. Experiment with emerging technologies and innovation frameworks.
Resources:
"The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen discusses innovation in business. Explains why so many well-established companies fail dismally when faced with the emerging markets they create.
"Big Bang Disruption" by Larry Downes and Paul Nunes explains how disruptive innovations are endangering many of today’s businesses, and how to keep your business alive despite these disruptions.
10. Do I Want to Plan and Execute a Product Vision?
Product Managers are responsible for shaping and executing the product's vision. Having a desire to define a product's direction and see it through to fruition is integral to the role.
Advice: Develop strategic planning skills through courses on strategy development. Practice creating and communicating a clear product vision.
Resources:
"Good Strategy Bad Strategy" by Richard Rumelt provides insights into strategic planning. Dissects good strategies by using historical examples from a variety of fields, and offers insight into developing our own effective strategies through practical advice and a solid blueprint.
"Inspired" by Marty Cagan explores product vision and execution. Describes the best practices of creating successful software products and explains the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
11. Am I Committed to Continuous Learning?
The tech industry evolves rapidly, and Product Managers must stay updated. Committing to continuous learning ensures that you remain effective and competitive in your role.
Advice: Enroll in online courses, attend webinars, and participate in industry conferences. Seek out mentors who can guide your learning journey.
Resources:
"Mindset" by Carol S. Dweck emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset. Discusses the differences between people with a fixed mindset versus those with a growth mindset.
"Hyper-Learning" by Edward D. Hess shows you how to adapt to a rapidly changing world in which technology threatens to make many skills redundant. By adopting a growth mindset, becoming less egotistical, and learning to collaborate, you’ll be ready to face the future.
12. How Strong Are My Communication Skills?
Effective communication is crucial for conveying the product's vision, building alignment among teams, and managing stakeholders. Strong communication skills are vital for success.
Advice: Join public speaking or communication workshops. Practice writing clear and concise product documentation and emails.
Resources:
"Talk Like TED" by Carmine Gallo provides insights into effective public speaking. Learn about presentation strategies used by the world’s most influential public speakers.
13. Am I Passionate About Design and User Experience?
User experience is a critical aspect of product development. A passion for design and user experience ensures that products are not just functional but also enjoyable to use.
Advice: Learn about user experience (UX) principles and design thinking methodologies. Participate in UX workshops or courses.
Resources:
"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman is a classic book on UX design. Explores the cognitive psychology of good design and what makes a product that responds to users’ needs.
"Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug offers insights into user-friendly design. Describes the basic principles governing behavior online and explains how you can build a website that delivers a great user experience.
Blogs like Nielsen Norman Group provide insights into UX and user-centered design.
14. Am I Passionate About Building Products for People?
Building products that genuinely meet user needs and improve their lives is at the core of product management. Passion for this aspect of the role ensures you remain focused on the user.
Advice: Seek opportunities to volunteer or collaborate on projects that directly benefit individuals or communities. Focus on understanding and addressing real-world problems.
Resources:
"Drive" by Daniel H. Pink explores the psychology of motivation, emphasizing the importance of purpose. Points out that many organizations still follow a “carrot and stick” approach, using external incentives to motivate people.
15. Do I Care About the Business Strategy?
Understanding and caring about the business strategy is crucial for aligning the product's direction with overarching company goals and ensuring that the product contributes to the organization's success.
Advice: Take courses in business strategy and understand key business concepts. Engage in discussions about business strategies with colleagues or mentors.
Resources:
"Blue Ocean Strategy" by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne introduces innovative business strategies. Is a business classic that revolutionized the way companies think about market competition. It explains why some businesses can grow uncontested, while the rest tear each other to bits in a hypercompetitive environment.
Harvard Business Review provides articles and insights on business strategy.
Don't be discouraged!
In conclusion, being a Product Manager offers the opportunity to have a significant impact on the success of a product and a company as a whole. However, it also comes with its challenges, requiring understanding of technology, market trends, and consumer behavior, as well as the ability to manage competing priorities and make tough trade-offs.
The good news is that even if you don't currently possess all of these skills, they can be developed over time. I hope my set of thought-provoking questions provided here can help you assess your desire to become a Product Manager and identify areas for improvement by:
Reflecting on your motivations,
Seeking out mentors,
Engaging in continuous learning,
Practicing various skills and learning new ones, you can work towards becoming a Product Manager.
Remember, becoming a Product Manager is a journey, and it's important to stay committed and passionate about the role. With dedication and a growth mindset, you can develop the necessary skills and excel in this exciting and dynamic field.
If you find yourself drawn to the responsibilities of this role, don't be discouraged by any gaps in your skillset. Instead, embrace the opportunity to grow and learn, knowing that becoming a Product Manager is within your reach.
Great post Elena. Did you ever cover anything that is the next step on the journey - defining what kind of product manager you want to be? Eg technical, software, etc.