Product Managers, who is your best friend at work?
The main complain that I hear in my private and professional life about Product Managers/Project Managers/Product Owners is that they don’t make themselves part of the team. That they consider the team as being on the second place, after the product that they are building.
Dear Product Managers, let me tell you something…. without a team there is no product or project! As simple as that.
I worked until now in different companies and products and I can honestly say that in my current position I enjoy the most my role as a product manager.
Why is that?
Because I have followed one advice that says “the Team Leader and the Product Manager have to be best friends”.
With that being said, let me share my 4 reasons why you shall follow this advice too.
1. Having someone by your side in moments of joy and stress.
Our role, even if is considered as an individual contributor, is filled with tasks and decisions that deal with stakeholders. This means dealing with people. We all know that working with people is a difficult work. The Team Leader knows this best, so can definitely relate with you in moments of joy or stress. Having him/her as your best friend, you have someone that can help you regulate your frustrations and celebrate the wins.
2. Being able to request feedback fast.
As Product Managers, we care the way we do our work. We dedicate time and effort to do our job right. Whenever feeling that a presentation is not quite good or that in a meeting with the stakeholders something is not working as desired, you have the Team Lead next to you to ask for his/her help. You have someone that can provide fast and honest feedback. You have the ability to improve fast, by getting fast feedback. Don’t underestimate this power.
3. Having someone to challenge you.
As Product Managers, we have a big responsibility to care of the stakeholders. Our everyday work is to be in contact with them and to keep them happy. But what about the team? The Team Leader has the hard job to challenge us constantly, to care about the team. When the Team Leader is your best friend at work, the challenges are positively received. You know that they challenge you to be better and get better. This way in your everyday work, you care about the product & stakeholders & the team. Like I said before, when the team is feeling protected, is going to perform better which means better product and happier stakeholders.
4. Not feeling alone.
I talked about this in this other post of mine. As product Managers, we have this role in the team that could make you feel alone in doing your daily work. Feeling like nobody from the team can understand your challenges. When the Team Leader is your best friend in this journey, you will never feel alone. You will feel listened, respected and trusted. You will have someone to ask for feedback to, to challenge you and to make you grow as well, as all the other team members. Take advantage of this opportunity.
Book recommendation
This is the book that I am currently reading:
Give and Take — Adam Grant
This book makes me understand that when you are ready to give more than you expect is when success will start to follow. By willing to give more and be the Team Leader’s best friend, you will create together with him/her a team that will be able to deliver great products.
I am recommending this book, because as I am writing this article, I am making the transition from being a Product Manager to being a Product Team Lead. The future looks challenging and scary, but looking forward to be a people contributor.
Final Notes
With all this being said, the friendship with the Team Leader needs time to be build. It needs confidence, honesty and vulnerability. Don’t be afraid to invest the time in it, as the reward is worth the effort.
