Why Great Product Managers Never Argue

Great PMs are like sponges, they soak in info from anywhere We can’t assume we’re always right, we don’t have all information, and the info we have is not always perfect or correct We need allies - we can’t ship successful products on our own However: We should have an opinion - we just don’t always have to express it in an argumentative fashion This doesn’t mean we say yes to everything - we can’t be order takers So, if we can’t say yes, then how do we say no… we don’t - the best way to not say yes is to ask questions Ask for clarification Ask for context Ask for data It’s pointless to argue as a product manager. We have zero power, and we need allies across our company in order for our team’s work to be successful. Next time you get tempted to argue, remember those six tips: Always accept and encourage feedback and counter-opinions Never assume you’re always correct - we rarely are You need allies, so don’t alienate them You should have an opinion but be tactful in expressing it Don’t say yes to everything But don’t say no to anything. Use questions to put the ball back in the court of the requestor I hope these tips are helpful as you go about your week, and I’ll see you next week for another lesson in product management. If you're looking to get into product management, love helping aspiring PMs, or looking for Jr. PM talent, come join the Path2Product Marketplace Beta: Sign Up For Path2Product Beta