I have put up some random graph to appear smarter than I am (Source : Internet)

The single most important thing for a PM

“Being passionate about the problem your product is solving.”

Yes. That is it.

You may say it is true for all the jobs. And, to be fair, you may be right. But, in this article, I will only be focusing on why being deeply connected to the problem her product is solving is essential for a PM.

Without much ado, here are the five tangible benefits of being passionate for a PM:-

1. A passionate PM can take better decisions.
2. A passionate PM can say ‘NO’ more effectively.
3. A passionate PM can bring bagels, no matter what!
4. A passionate PM can peep into future.
5. A passionate PM can attract a passionate team.

You may ask how? Let me elaborate on each one of those pointers.

1. A passionate PM can take better decisions.

As a PM, one of the most important thing that you will do is decide. Day in and day out, you will have to take calls on many big and small issues. You choose what tasks to pick or drop and why? What words to use and what shades to fill? You take many small and big decisions on a regular basis in your attempt to unblock others in your team. Making all these decisions can be exhausting for a product manager. Being passionate about the problem your product is solving helps a PM get over the decision fatigue that they experience on a daily basis.

Here is a link to a Scientific American article on decision fatigue for those who are interested.

2. A passionate PM can say ‘NO’ more effectively.

Prioritizing different tasks based on the current product needs is one of the primary responsibilities of a product manager. It involves saying ‘NO’ to a lot of requests that are not in the purview of your product’s immediate goals. All this naysaying may leave behind some disgruntled stakeholders. However, if you have established yourself as the most ardent cheerleader of your product within the organization, you no will be viewed as constructive feedback. The requester will often see you as an expert of your product and attempt to understand your view. Your passion for your product is your social capital in such settings.

If you want to understand the importance of saying NO for a product manager, do read this article by Intercom’s co-founder Des Traynor. No one could explain it better.

3. A passionate PM can bring the donuts, no matter what!

Remaining positive and keeping the team motivated is probably one of the most critical tasks for a manager. After all, an unexcited team cannot build an exciting product. However, it is not always easy to do so. What if your organization is going through rough time and has laid off a lot of people? How do you rally a bunch of insecure engineers and designers into building a delightful product in such settings? Having a deeper connection with the problem that you are trying to solve with help a Product Manager focus on spreading positivity rather than seeking out ways to jump the ship. You can help your teammates transcend the current turmoil and connect with a far-reaching goal.

A Product School video where an Etsy PM highlights the importance of bringing positivity in a product management success.

4. A passionate PM can peep into future.

What’s Next? As an owner of the product roadmap, a PM struggles with this question every day. Answering this question requires a lot of research. A PM must connect with the customers, read all the latest tech developments, socialize with internal as well as external experts and meditate over various problem areas. Knowing what next is a wholesome effort and being passionate about what you are solving will make all the hard work seem fun.

Here is an excellent lecture by Senior PM at Walmart on how to build a product roadmap.

5. A passionate PM can attract a passionate team.

Here is the bottomline: There is no PM without a product, but there can be a product without a PM. It is because a product manager doesn’t build a product, developers and designers do. Being enthusiastic about your mission will help you attract who will develop a fantastic product for your users. And, frankly, without having great developers and designers to invest their time in your products, you can never ship a delightful experience.

You can check out this book by Vincent Norman Peale if you are interested in exploring enthusiasm advantage.

In sum, before getting excited a product management role anywhere find out whether you are excited about the problem that they are solving. It is crucial for a PM to “find her bliss” before finding a role.

Therefore, when you are researching a job opportunity next time strive to answer the following question in addition to all others :

1. Does this role connect with my long-term mission?
2. Are my goals with the product aligned with the organisation’s long-term strategy?