Product management is a challenging and rewarding career that requires a combination of analytical, technical, and creative skills. It is a role that demands attention to detail, the ability to prioritize, and the capacity to make tough decisions. One often-overlooked skill, and I do mean this as a skill, that sets apart great product managers from average ones is curiosity. Curiosity is a superpower that allows product managers to remain open and receptive to new ideas and information, which in turn, shapes the direction of the product.
Taking all inputs from a variety of sources
As a product manager, you need to take inputs from a variety of sources. These may include clients, sales, implementation, development, design, support, data, the market, competitors, and of course leadership. It is easy to fall into the trap of confirmation bias, where you only seek out information that confirms your existing beliefs. This is where curiosity comes in. By curious, I mean open-mindedness, even when faced with ideas that challenge your assumptions. It means actively seeking out diverse perspectives, even if they may seem at odds with your own. This requires maturity and a strong sense of self awareness.
Remaining open and curious instead of committed to being right
Remaining open and curious is not easy. We are wired to want to be right, to hold onto our beliefs and defend them at all costs. However, being committed to being right can blind you to new information, limiting your ability to make informed decisions. By contrast, remaining open and curious means being willing to change your mind when presented with compelling evidence. It means asking questions, seeking out new information, and challenging assumptions.
Practical Applications of Curiosity as a Product Manager
1. Asking Questions:
Asking questions is an essential part of any successful product manager. By asking questions, you can gain a better understanding of your customer’s needs, your competitor’s strategies, and your company’s goals and objectives. Asking questions authentically and objectively is just as important as the ask itself. Make sure your questions are not slanted toward an outcome. Keep them objective.
2. Seeking Feedback:
Seeking feedback from your team, your customers, and your stakeholders can provide valuable insights that can help you improve your product and your approach to product management. Feedback loops are an essential tool used to build and incrementally improve any product. It’s essential to have reliable and engaged feedback loops that provide you with insights. Feedback in the aggregate can help product managers see trends and general directions we should head.
3. Conducting Research
Conducting research on your industry, your competitors, and your target market can help you stay up-to-date on trends, identify new opportunities, and gain insights that can inform your product strategy. Product managers wear a lot of hats. You can delegate this research to a business analyst if your team supports that resource. Research should be done as an ongoing cyclical process. As the world changes, so do your products. A stagnant product is a dead one. Be continually researching and looking for new opportunities within the data.
3. Experimenting
Experimenting with new features, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns can help you test hypotheses, validate assumptions, and learn from your successes and failures. The use of Alpha and Beta trials can get you extremely valuable feedback on your product or feature. Depending on the size, budget, and customer base of your product can dictate how best to experiment. Make use of prototyping and quick solution’ing to get “less than perfect” versions of what you’re building so you can get quick feedback without having to rewrite code or start from scratch. Most companies have high-value clients with great relationships that are open to becoming early adopters of what you are building. These individuals can provide you a host of great feedback that inform your direction and give you more insights into what you may have overlooked. Be careful with your focus groups and understand their bias as well.
In closing, Curiosity is a superpower for product managers. It is a powerful weapon when wielded correctly. Removing your desire to be right or seeking the answers that align with your own beliefs requires maturity. It’s about You, admitting to yourself, that you can make better decisions by listening and analyzing all inputs with an objective view before making decisions. This is an incredibly difficult skill. One I am constantly learning to be better at. It’s a commitment to the product and not “what you did to make the product a success”. Removal of the ego and serving the greater purpose of your product will lead to exactly that ideal.