Practical Ways to Earn Respect and Empower Product Managers

Practical Ways to Earn Respect and Empower Product Managers

Introduction:
Being a successful product manager requires not only technical knowledge and skills but also the ability to earn respect and empower the product team. In this article, we will explore practical ways for product managers to achieve these goals and become effective leaders in their roles. By incorporating strategic context and leveraging their unique position, product managers can establish themselves as valuable assets to their organizations.

1. Utilize the Power of Strategic Context:
   To empower product teams and enable them to make informed decisions, product managers must provide them with the necessary strategic context. Without understanding the larger goals and vision of the organization, it is challenging for teams to align their efforts effectively. By actively sharing this context, product managers can enable their teams to make decisions that are in line with the overall strategy.

For example, in conversations with engineers, a product manager can acknowledge when the discussion surpasses their technical knowledge. However, they can emphasize the importance of summarizing the key challenges and takeaways in non-technical terms. By doing so, the product manager ensures that even without deep technical expertise, they can still contribute to the strategic decision-making process.

2. Leverage Lack of Industry Bias:
   Starting a new product management role without prior experience in a specific domain can be an advantage. Without pre-existing notions of how the industry "should" behave, product managers can approach problems with fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo. This lack of industry bias allows them to think creatively and strategically, which can lead to innovative solutions and earn respect from their teams.

By embracing this lack of knowledge, product managers can encourage their teams to think outside the box and explore new possibilities. They can foster a culture of continuous learning and encourage diverse perspectives, ultimately driving innovation within the organization.

3. Balancing Agreeability with Assertiveness:
   As product managers, there are times when it is crucial to be agreeable, patient, and open to different opinions. Collaboration and consensus-building are essential skills in driving successful product development. However, there are also times when product managers need to assert themselves and apply pressure to ensure progress.

Shopify's product principle of "Get Shit Done" exemplifies the importance of taking action and driving results. By balancing agreeability with assertiveness, product managers can earn respect from their teams and stakeholders. They demonstrate their commitment to delivering outcomes and show that they are not afraid to make tough decisions when necessary.

Conclusion:
Earning respect and empowering product managers require a combination of strategic thinking, effective communication, and leadership skills. By providing strategic context, leveraging lack of industry bias, and balancing agreeability with assertiveness, product managers can establish themselves as valuable contributors and leaders within their organizations.

Actionable Advice:

1. Foster a culture of continuous learning and encourage diverse perspectives within your team. Embrace the lack of industry bias to drive innovation and challenge the status quo.
2. Actively share the strategic context with your team to enable informed decision-making. Help them understand the larger goals and vision of the organization.
3. Balance agreeability with assertiveness. Be open to different opinions and collaboration, but also assert yourself when necessary to drive results and make tough decisions.

By implementing these actionable advice, product managers can not only earn respect but also empower their teams to achieve greater success in their product development endeavors.