Yes, you read that right, you should NOT become a product manager if not ready to handle certain setting and situations.
Product management is a highly demanding environment suited for those who love being constantly busy, building new things, and fixing/patching old ones.
However, it’s not always fulfilling because you are not typically the one shaping the entire final product and changes to it. You mainly approve, oversee, reject, and sometimes even question whether you are allowed to make certain changes. You listen to customers while simultaneously striving to meet business and market regulations to ensure your employer’s success.
Many people will resonate with this, but some might not. I am writing this for those who identify with the given description. Do not get into product management if you’re not ready for a game of poker, for blind moves, elbowing, and pushing. Sometimes even scheming.
These are some harsh truths that everyone avoids discussing but are crucial to know before deciding to venture into this dynamic business world. Additionally, if you’re not prepared to learn new things, constantly adapt to the market, technology, and the people on whom your changes depend, stay out of this field.
Regarding elbowing in this job, the one who gets the red card is not the one who strikes but the one who doesn’t retaliate or fails to dodge the elbow. Learn that skill. The product business is not for the faint-hearted or mama’s boys. You need to be tough, decisive, and believe in yourself even when things aren’t going well. By this I do not mean you’re always right, but rather that you need to believe in yourself and that you can handle it.
In the end, it’s not all bad; these issues exist in other fields as well. However, it’s important not to be naive and think you’ll spend 100% of your time dreaming up your fancy product that a fairy godmother will deliver to you with a wave of her magic wand by midnight. Without rolling up your sleeves, nothing gets done. It’s a job for the brave!
And if you need any specific advice, your ProdMan is always here for you! 😉
PS Andrea Piacquadio took this foto for me.
ProdMan 
Leave a comment