Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager

The role of a product manager varies from company to company which is why defining what makes a good product manager is challenging to do.

No doubt that a good one focuses on the two core responsibilities: Leading product development and working with cross-functional teams to ensure that the product direction is aligned with the objectives of the company.

But many are not up to the challenge because they forget straightforward principles a good product manager must follow. Today, we tackle these principles so you understand what makes a good product manager.

What Makes a Good Product Manager?

Listed below are principles that every good product manager should be able to recite in their sleep. Understanding and applying the principles will ensure that you have a better chance of becoming an effective PM.

Focuses on Priorities

A product manager juggles tasks daily. Meeting with different teams and reviewing health metrics are just some of the activities that a PM needs to do. A good product manager knows how to prioritize the tasks that need to be done first.

Open to Feedback

A good product manager is open to feedback from stakeholders. Listening to what other teams think of your challenges, approach or strategy will help move your product forward.

Executes Strategies

A PM is also a cross-functional leader that guides all stakeholders in the development process with the right strategy. Perfecting the skill of figuring out the next immediate action is essential for a good product manager.

Is Willing to Adapt Based on New Information

You need to adjust and adapt depending on new data or information. Not one day is the same in the product management space so the willingness to be adaptable and flexible is crucial.

Jack of all Trades

A Jack of all Trades will master product management as the responsibilities of the role overlaps with the responsibilities of others. A good PM has to know a bit of everything – technical. UX, business/marketing, and entrepreneurial skills.

Has a North Star Metric that’s been Clearly Communicated

A north star metric is one measurement that’s most predictive of a product’s future success. Having one will greatly help with clarity and alignment. And it will also hold everyone accountable for an outcome.

Is Data-Driven

Simply put, a good product manager looks at the data and understands it to build the right product. When the product development process is data-driven, it leads to more satisfied customers.

Have Specific Action Items for the Team After Every Meeting

A good PM will give attendees of a meeting specific action items to complete. Organizing and assigning what needs to be done next ensures that everyone is working towards achieving the end goal.

Utilizes Tools Effectively to be More Efficient

There are a lot of tools available for every product manager. Good product managers have to know how to use these tools to make their job easier, be more efficient and productive, and promote collaboration.

If you are looking for a list of the best PM tools to be more efficient, check out this article.

Pleasant to Work With

A good PM has to have strong interpersonal skills to lead and influence the teams he or she works with. If not, teams will be more than hesitant to form a collaborative relationship which can cause challenges for your project roadmap.

What Makes a Bad Product Manager?

It goes without saying that a bad product manager does the opposite of what has been listed above. A bad PM can be very costly for a company which is why it’s important to always assess yourself and your performance. 

If you think you have one or two of the traits below, you may have picked up a few bad habits.

Always Agrees with What People Say

A bad product manager will always agree with what people say without looking at the product roadmap. A bad PM is a people pleaser, leaving several important tasks uncompleted.  

Does Too Many Things 

Product development is a complex process. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t know what to do first as a PM. And when you are overwhelmed, the same feeling will also translate to other teams you’re collaborating with. 

Doesn’t Pay Attention to How Long Things Take 

Changing delivery dates is common in product management. A bad product manager won’t consider changing requirements that will affect the product’s timeline.

For example, expecting a one-year process to be finished in two months is simply unworkable. Burnout will set in sooner when unrealistic deadlines are set. Dysfunction and the blame game will soon follow.

Is Confrontational 

A product manager is a problem solver. A good one finds solutions to address the problem but a bad one is fixated on who made the mistake.

Gets Defensive 

Humility is a trait that’s undervalued in the product management space. If you don’t have it, you’re bound to justify your strategy or line of thinking even if it isn’t in sync with the main goals.

Isn’t Comfortable with Numbers and Isn’t Responsive to Problems

Market conditions are always changing, and data and new information are always emerging. Responding to these changes means that you are giving customers or users the product they want and need.

Uses a Minimal Number of Tools

There are so many tools that you can use to help with collaboration, customer feedback, and productivity. Not leveraging the tools available to you as a product manager is bad for your efficiency.

Summary

Product managers who want to be successful should always follow the principles of being a good product manager. Essentially, a good product manager’s efforts and attitudes should be focused on what’s beneficial for both the product and the company.

If you want to learn more about being a good product manager, PM Exercises has more than enough resources to help PM candidates take their careers to where they want them.