All Product Managers are Leaders

Even though you are not a formal leader or manager, you need to lead people

In the fast-paced world of software development, you as a product manager hold a vital role at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience (and data!). As a product manager, you are a leader even without a formal managerial position.

In this blog post, we'll explore why product managers are essential leaders within their organizations, how they can motivate their teams towards a shared goal, and why embracing this leadership mindset is crucial for success.

The good thing: This also applies to engineers, designers, data analysts, and everybody else striving to achieve a goal together with other people.

The Orchestra Conductor

Imagine you're the conductor of an orchestra. You don't play any instrument yourself, but you direct the musicians to bring beautiful symphonies to life. In the world of software development, product managers are the conductors. They bring together diverse teams of engineers, designers, marketers, and others, guiding them towards a harmonious creation. Although you may not write the code or design the UI, your leadership is essential to orchestrate the process and achieve success.

Motivating Without Formal Authority

Unlike line managers, product managers often don't have formal authority over the teams they work with. Yet, they are expected to drive progress and keep everyone aligned. How can you lead without authority? The answer lies in motivation and inspiration. By embracing your role as a leader, you can unleash the power of motivation and foster a collaborative environment that fuels innovation and success.

Even though you may be a Junior PM with very a comparatively narrow responsibility, use your leadership to motivate the people you work with. Engineer, Designer, and everyone involved want to know where they should move and they will be grateful for you to tell them.

How to Lead as a Product Manager

Okay, that’s all very fine, but how should you go start? Start with these actions and you are on a good path:

Set a Clear Vision and Goal

Every great leader knows the importance of a compelling vision. As a product manager, you have a unique perspective on the market, user needs, and business goals. Use this knowledge to craft a clear and inspiring vision for your product. Communicate it passionately to your team, igniting their imagination and making them feel part of something bigger than themselves.

Lead by Example

To motivate others, you must lead by example. Show your team that you're fully invested in the product's success. Roll up your sleeves and dive into the trenches with them. This not only builds trust but also demonstrates your commitment and dedication. When your team sees you working side by side with them, they'll be motivated to give their best as well.

Celebrate Wins and Learn from Failures

Leadership isn't just about pushing people towards success; it's also about celebrating wins and learning from failures. Acknowledge the accomplishments of your team, big or small, and make sure they receive the recognition they deserve. Celebrating success boosts morale, fosters a positive atmosphere, and motivates everyone to aim higher.

Foster Autonomy and Empowerment

One of the best ways to motivate and engage your team is by fostering autonomy and empowerment. Provide your engineers with the freedom to innovate, experiment, and take ownership of their work. When people feel trusted and empowered, they become more invested in their tasks, leading to higher productivity and satisfaction.

Communication is Key

As a leader, effective communication is your superpower. Keep your team well-informed about the product's progress, changes in direction, and any challenges that arise. Actively listen to your team members, encourage open discussions and foster a culture of transparency.

Develop Strong Relationships

Leadership is not a solitary journey. Cultivate strong relationships with your team, stakeholders, and cross-functional partners. Invest time in getting to know your team members as individuals, understanding their strengths, and providing mentorship and support.

Conclusion

Product managers may not have formal authority or be the ones writing code, but their leadership is essential for success. By embracing their role as leaders, product managers can motivate and inspire their teams towards a common goal.

Now, go forth, and lead with passion!

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What I read

This is separate section of this newsletter. I will list some of the best articles I read on the internet. They may or may not be related to the topic of this article. I will keep a list of the best articles (currently >650) at https://www.digital-product-management.com. These are today’s picks:

Modern Work Method: The Modern Work Method advocates for structured, transparent, and async-first collaboration instead of informal, real-time, office-first approaches transplanted to remote contexts.

Modern Work Principles: Twelve principles for modern work.

Chatbots Are Not the Future: The reason: Text inputs have no affordances.