The Patient Product Manager
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Galatians 5:22
Being patient is key to creating successful products, but many people forget this in today's world. We often feel pressured to rush through tasks, release new features quickly, and chase new ideas. Everyone wants quick results and instant success. But I've found that to be a great product manager and leader who creates something that lasts, you need patience.
Product management can feel overwhelming, like running without ever reaching the end. But here's the truth: creating something worthwhile takes time. You need to be dedicated and willing to wait for results. Think of it like running a marathon instead of a sprint. Sometimes you need to say no to urgent but less important things to focus on what really matters.
This doesn't mean you should work slowly or do nothing. Instead, being patient means working smart. It means spending your time and energy on things that will make the biggest difference in the long run. It's like building a house - taking time to build strong foundations is better than quickly putting up walls that won't last.
But why is patience so vital for us as product managers? Here's what I've found:
Quality Takes Time
Building usually takes more time than expected. This is because software development has many challenges that can slow things down - like technical problems, unexpected issues, and dependencies on other systems. Good product managers plan for these delays by:
Adding extra time to their schedules
Being open with their team about possible delays
Making sure the final product is high-quality rather than rushing it
Remember: trying to rush and take shortcuts often creates bigger problems that need fixing later.
Understanding Users Requires Deep Work
Truly understanding what users want and need takes time. You need to keep testing your ideas, getting feedback, and being truly interested in solving users' problems. There's no shortcut - you have to take the time to try different approaches, test your ideas carefully, and improve your product using real data and user feedback. This process is essential for creating a great product, but you need to be patient with it.
Genuine Value is Built Methodically
Focus on solving real customer problems instead of just adding features. Your goal should be to make your users' lives better. To do this well, you need to:
Really understand what your users need
Plan your work carefully
Test thoroughly
Make improvements based on user feedback
Don't worry too much about fancy metrics. What matters most is how your product actually helps people.
Rejecting Side Quests to Protects Your Team and Vision
Managing different people's needs is one of the hardest parts of being a product manager. Each person believes their ideas are the most important. While it's tempting to say "yes" to everyone's requests, this approach can cause problems. It can make the product lose its focus and overwhelm the team.
A good product manager knows when to say "no." This helps them:
Keep the team focused
Stay true to the product's goals
Create a better end result
They do this by:
Clearly explaining their decisions
Suggesting other solutions when possible
Being open about what matters most
So, how do you cultivate this essential trait? Here are some things that have helped me:
Focus on the Long Game
Focus on your main goal. Think about why you are building this product in the first place and what you want it to achieve. This will help you avoid quick fixes that could hurt your product’s success in the future.
Communicate Effectively
Listen carefully to others. When you pay attention to what your team members, stakeholders, and users say, you'll make smarter choices and avoid confusion. Keep your own messages simple and clear, and don't get frustrated if you need to explain things more than once.
Build Strong Relationships
Invest time in building strong relationships. The stronger your relationships, the more trust you'll build, and the easier it will be to navigate challenging situations.
Manage Expectations (Including Your Own)
Be realistic about timelines. Things almost always take longer than you think. Communicate realistic timelines and be prepared to answer questions about them patiently. And be patient with yourself! Learning and growing as a product manager is a journey.
Embrace Change
The only constant in product management is change. Be adaptable and flexible. When things change (and they will), embrace the opportunity to learn and grow.
Learn to be Mindful
Take a moment to breathe. Step back from the chaos and reflect on what's truly important. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded and focused, even when things get hectic.
Being patient is more than just a good quality - it's a tool for success. When you're patient, you can think things through better, work better with others, and create better products.
I Am Here to Help…
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