The Paradoxical Traits of Great Product Managers: Striving for Success by Letting Go

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Sep 29, 2023

4 min read

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The Paradoxical Traits of Great Product Managers: Striving for Success by Letting Go

In the world of product management, there are certain traits that distinguish the great from the good. These traits go beyond the typical skills and knowledge required for the role. Great product managers possess a unique combination of qualities that enable them to excel in their jobs and have a significant impact on the customer experience and the business as a whole.

One of the key traits of great product managers is their ability to write well. Clear and effective communication is essential in this role, as product managers need to convey their ideas, strategies, and visions to various stakeholders. By being able to articulate their thoughts and plans clearly, great product managers can build consensus among team members and ensure everyone is on the same page. However, they also have the ability to drive hard decisions when necessary, even if it means facing resistance or disagreement from others.

Another trait that sets great product managers apart is their ability to live in the future and work backwards. They constantly fine-tune their product strategy to maximize its impact on the business. They have a deep understanding of the market, the competition, and the needs and pain points of their customers. Through research, experiments, and collaboration with cross-functional partners, they gather valuable insights that shape their product decisions. Great product managers have a well-honed sense of what a well-crafted product experience feels like, and they do whatever it takes to amplify their team's impact on both the customer experience and the business.

Interestingly, these traits of great product managers align with the concept of drowning-proofing, where paradoxical strategies lead to success. When learning to survive in water, the first lesson is to let go of the struggle to stay afloat. By sinking to the bottom of the pool, one can use the momentum from pushing off the floor to rise back to the surface. Similarly, great product managers understand the importance of letting go of control when it is most needed. They embrace the paradoxical art of doing and not doing, combining relaxation with activity to achieve proficiency and results.

Most activities in life do not follow a linear effort/reward curve. This is especially true for complex and mentally/emotionally taxing tasks, such as product management. Studies on work productivity have shown that we are only truly productive for the first four to five hours of each day. Beyond that, the relationship between effort and reward becomes inverted, where the more effort we put in, the more likely we are to fail. This inversion occurs because, in such activities, the action becomes psychological and exists solely within our consciousness. Aldous Huxley's words ring true: "The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed."

The paradoxical nature of our psychology extends beyond work and productivity. It touches on our search for meaning, freedom, and happiness. Often, we chase after these elusive concepts, only to find that the more we strive for them, the further they seem to slip away. Just like in drowning-proofing, the only way to reach the surface is to let ourselves sink. We must stop chasing and start embracing the paradox. By leaning into fear and uncertainty, we can find salvation and achieve what we desire.

Incorporating these paradoxical traits into our lives and work can greatly benefit us. As aspiring product managers or professionals in any field, there are actionable steps we can take to apply these principles:

  • 1. Embrace the art of letting go: Recognize when control is hindering progress and learn to release it. Trust in your team, your instincts, and the process. Sometimes, the best decisions come from surrendering control.
  • 2. Cultivate self-awareness: Understand your own psychological tendencies and how they may be impacting your performance. Be mindful of your efforts and the potential for inverted results. Practice relaxation techniques and find balance between activity and rest.
  • 3. Seek insights and collaboration: Great product managers are not lone wolves. Actively seek out insights about customer needs and pain points through research, experiments, and collaboration with cross-functional partners. Embrace the power of collective knowledge and diverse perspectives.

In conclusion, the traits of great product managers align with the paradoxical nature of success. By letting go of control, embracing relaxation and activity, and seeking insights, they amplify their impact on the customer experience and the business. As individuals striving for success, we can learn from their example and apply these principles to our own lives and work. Letting go of the desire for meaning and happiness may just be the key to finding them.

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