Product Manager: 8 tips to make engineers hate you

#1 Gut-based decisions

When you make a decision based on customer feedback or market research data, never tell them. Let them believe every decision is based on your gut instincts.

#2 Emails in flames

Send emails pointing out mistakes (preferably write them late at night). Never tell them they’re doing well, and of course never share positive feedback from customers and users. They might feel they’ve done something well.

#3 THE expert

Let them know you are an expert on everything (IT, marketing, sales, legal, QA…). You should remind them on every meeting. Just in case.

#4 Weather vane

Give constant change orders based only on your opinion. The more the merrier.

#5 Micro manager

Micromanage every change. Ask them every 5 mins why haven’t they finish feature X and how long will it take.

#6 YOUR road map

Never let them be part of the road map planning, they shouldn’t feel they’re part of the project. Even if they built it, they don’t know NOTHING about the product.

#7 What’s a PM?

Never explain what is the role of the Product Manager. Secrecy for the win.

#8 Shut up!

Let them know you are the one who decide what’s best for the product. Stop every attempt of sharing ideas and giving feedback.