Who is a Real Product Manager? And Wait… Are YOU One? 🤔
When I started working as a Product Manager in 2015 in 4 people company in a basement, I did everything — literally everything. From mopping the floor to writing user stories, from opening the gate to writing API docs. And here I am…after 10 years.
When I first sat down to write this, my grand plan was to define what makes a good product manager. Sounds simple, right? But then I hit a roadblock. How do you even quantify “good”? What are the magic ingredients?
Well, before I spill the secrets, here’s something to remember:
Product Management varies wildly depending on the company’s size (are they startup?), goals (do they want to earn money or increase users?), and product type (B2C, B2B, D2C, etc.).
Ok let’s continue with our story, and then it struck me — shouldn’t all these qualities (like leadership, strategic thinking, decision-making, communication skills) exist in everyone working on digital products? After all, I’ve seen young startup folks get promoted to director-level roles. Soo,
Climbing the ladder in corporate requires more than just domain knowledge — YES, agree. But WAIT, isn’t that what a product manager’s job is in the first place?
Sure, the titles evolve — Associate PM → PM → Senior PM → Group PM → Director — but what truly separates a Product Manager from, say, an engineer, a designer, or a marketing lead? MANYYY THINGS.
Let’s Dive Into It! 🚀
This June (2025 — just in case my future self is reading this), I’ll hit my 10-year milestone in product management. I’ve worked across Automotive, Fintech, EdTech, IoT, Cloud Computing, and Airlines.
But after a decade in the trenches, here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Asking Questions is More Important Than Having Answers
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. You just need to ask the smartest questions. The best PMs aren’t know-it-alls; they’re figure-it-out-alls.
2. You Don’t “Own” the Product — You Babysit It 👶
Let’s be real: No PM actually “owns” the product. It belongs to engineering, design, marketing, leadership, and the customers. Your job? To make sure everyone’s playing nice and the baby doesn’t cry.
3. You Speak Every Language — But Fluently in None 🗣️
One day, you’re decoding SQL queries. The next, you’re crafting a GTM strategy. Then suddenly, you’re debating UI/UX decisions. Product managers are basically business translators.
4. Good Product Management is Invisible
If everything’s running smoothly and customers are happy, nobody asks, “Who’s the product manager?” But if things go south? Yep, guess who’s in the hot seat?
5. Data is Your Best Friend (And Your Worst Enemy) 📊
Product managers who rely only on instincts won’t last long. Those who blindly trust data will mislead teams. The secret? Use data to guide decisions, but always validate with customer insights.
6. You Work for Your Users — Not Your Boss
It’s tempting to prioritize executive requests, but great PMs advocate for the users first. If customers love the product, the business wins. If they don’t, well… update your LinkedIn.
7. Roadmaps Are Fictional Documents 🗺️
Your roadmap will change. It’s not a matter of if — it’s when. Learning to adapt (and getting your team on board with changes) is a critical skill.
8. If You’re Not Dealing With Conflict, You’re Not Doing Your Job
PMs live in the tension between engineering, design, marketing, and leadership. If you’re always agreeing with everyone, you’re probably not pushing hard enough.
9. PM Titles Don’t Matter — Impact Does
Associate PM, PM, Senior PM, Group PM, Director… whatever. Titles change, but your real value is the impact you drive. Focus on that.
10. You Will Never Feel Fully “Ready”
Even after 10 years, there are days I feel like an imposter. And that’s okay. The best PMs are always learning, adapting, and figuring things out as they go.
So… Are You a Product Manager?
If any of this resonates with you, congratulations! You might already be one — title or not. Product management isn’t just a job; it’s a mindset.
And if you’re still figuring it out, don’t worry — so am I. 😉 Let me know in comments.
