Product management has continued a rapid growth into an assertive discipline. Product management is an important interface between company strategy, development, customers, sales, and many other stakeholders. This creates a huge amount of expectation where the product managers must be seen as convincing, assertive, understanding, goal-oriented and strategic.
Changes in product management methodologies, strategies, roles, responsibilities and its practice from discovery through life cycle management have evolved abundantly. The sheer volume and variety can be overwhelming.
Product managers tend to be generalists. There is a great risk of becoming everything to everyone. This can create a struggle in adjustment especially with changing models, roles and responsibilities and sometimes difficulty in moving forward with confidence. This can leave some product managers feeling like a fraud and doubting their abilities. This feeling of inadequacy can persist despite proven competence.
A lack of technical knowledge can also be a source of uncertainty as well as after a product failure.
Here are some ways to beat it:
Strength
Being a generalist isn't your weakness.. it's your superpower. Product managers are armed with an array of skills and interests which makes super products persons and a sign for success.
Adapt
You're never always going to get it right at the first time or at one go. Being a great product manager involves constantly adapting and learning from mistakes. Develop a healthy response to mistakes.
Role definition
Product managers' roles transcend the whole product lifecycle. We’re not engineers, we’re not sales or marketers and we’re not direct line managers most of the time. The Product manager does not directly build or operate the product, instead, they enable those around them to do it better. As a motivator and collaborator, understanding the capabilities of the team and the development of soft skills will promote team effectiveness through integration and avoid any out-of-team experience.
Believe
Create an empowering belief in yourself, your capabilities, your products. These beliefs energize and improve self-confidence and you feel less of an imposter.
Prioritize
Getting started in product management and developing competence takes a lot of learning, hard work and process. Always ensure to have a prioritized to-do list. Ensure to pick the most important thing first. Do not get overwhelmed. Learn as much as you can and prioritize what you can get done.
See the Big picture
This creates a projection and enables versatility which enables product managers to maximize impact. This also honest evaluation of choices, strategic decisions and judgement. Everything must align with the product vision, users need and business values as a whole.
Product Processes
Product processes are important when they add value and connect back to customer value and user experience. Product processes must be conducted in a logical order of operations and compliance.
Data
The power of data cannot be overestimated. Data is used to make logical decisions and in creating strategy. Not everyone will trust you; feelings, bias and preconceptions can cause that. Data however can create conviction and instil confidence. Let the data guide you everywhere
Embrace it
While the feeling can be depressing, being open and embracing the uncertainty can be a start to defeating it. It's alright to feel that way; you don't have to know everything; it's okay to admit that you don't.
Mentor
Get advice and guidance from mentors and competent hands. Don't be afraid to ask for help as needed. Join a community. You are not alone...
Reward yourself
Pat yourself at the back… You're doing okay...
The goal of a product manager isn't to be smarter than everyone; it's to lead the product...