Building great products requires focus and dedication. Product managers who succeed are those who stick with one idea for an unreasonable period of time. This principle also applies to founders who are asked to build and develop a single idea for an extended period. Venture capitalists, who provide funding for these ideas, seek conviction and focus from the teams they support. The key to building great products is to avoid becoming a "used car salesman" with many products to pitch and sell.

Building great products requires focus and dedication. Product managers who succeed are those who stick with one idea for an unreasonable period of time. This principle also applies to founders who are asked to build and develop a single idea for an extended period. Venture capitalists, who provide funding for these ideas, seek conviction and focus from the teams they support. The key to building great products is to avoid becoming a "used car salesman" with many products to pitch and sell.

But what does this have to do with emotional intelligence? Well, it turns out that emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in maintaining focus and dedication. Emotional intelligence encompasses a wide range of skills and abilities, beyond just sociability and likability. It includes the ability to deliver difficult feedback, the courage to drive change, and the creativity to think outside the box.

Let's take the example of Esther, a kind and positive manager. Esther excels in her interpersonal skills, but she struggles with giving difficult feedback to her employees. This doesn't mean she lacks emotional intelligence; it simply means that her emotional intelligence skills are uneven. If Esther had strength in conflict management, she would be better equipped to handle giving people unpleasant feedback. Additionally, if she were more inclined to influence, she would see providing difficult feedback as a way to lead her direct reports and help them grow.

So, how can you determine which aspects of emotional intelligence you need to work on? One simple method is to review the 12 competencies of emotional intelligence and assess where you might need development. There are also formal models of emotional intelligence that come with their own assessment tools. One recommended approach is to use comprehensive 360-degree assessments, which collect both self-ratings and the views of others who know you well. These assessments have been found to be the best predictors of a leader's effectiveness, actual business performance, engagement, and job satisfaction.

Now, let's circle back to the importance of focus in building great products. Emotional intelligence can help product managers maintain focus and avoid becoming overwhelmed with too many ideas. By understanding their own emotional intelligence strengths and weaknesses, product managers can identify areas where they may need to improve in order to stay focused on their product's development.

To further enhance your emotional intelligence and maintain focus in building products, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Practice self-reflection: Take the time to reflect on your own emotional intelligence skills and identify areas where you may need improvement. This can be done through journaling, meditation, or seeking feedback from trusted colleagues.

2. Seek diverse perspectives: Surround yourself with a diverse group of individuals who can provide different viewpoints and challenge your thinking. This will help you think outside the box and consider alternative approaches to building your product.

3. Embrace discomfort: Building great products often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. Embrace discomfort and be willing to ruffle feathers and drive change when necessary. This will help you develop the courage and creativity needed to succeed.

In conclusion, emotional intelligence plays a vital role in building great products. By understanding and developing your emotional intelligence skills, you can maintain focus, deliver difficult feedback, drive change, and think outside the box. Use self-reflection, seek diverse perspectives, and embrace discomfort to enhance your emotional intelligence and become a more effective product manager. Remember, building great products requires dedication and focus, so don't be afraid to stick with one idea for an unreasonable period of time.