What accomplishment  in your product management career has brought you the highest level of  satisfaction and joy? Can you narrate why?

I have been involved in a B2B product management role where I had the opportunity of working with large Customer accounts. And in this process, aligning the overall product strategy to a variety of customer's requirements has been the most satisfactory experience for me. A product manager must understand the indirect approach of carefully pivoting products to solve real customer pain points.  In this process, one automatically learns to manage priorities together with stakeholders' alignment by mastering the art of planning and execution.

‍

What aspect of  product management did you struggle the most with? How did you overcome  it?

As a product manager, developing a knack for distilling the noise that comes with abundant information is a constant struggle in this role. Product manager has to continuously push for the clarity of vision, strategy and product roadmap by aligning all the stakeholders. I deal with the challenge through strong strategic planning and execution.

‍

What's one common  myth about product management that you find common among aspiring PMs.

The myth that by learning the concepts, and chasing the frameworks , one can establish themselves as a PM is a common myth. The concepts and frameworks are important as it helps in improving overall skills. However, as the starting point, I would advise aspiring PMs to work with experienced product managers or get their hands dirty on specific skills before venturing in the product management role. It could be aligned to one's background , interest etc.

‍

What are some common  pitfalls that product managers must be aware of?

1. Blindly following concepts & framework without an understanding of the company Vision, Culture, Niche, and Competitive strength.

2. Lacking the art of balancing the company's objectives and customer requirements.

3. Not knowing the difference between when to be assertive vs submissive.

4. Trying to master every possible skill of Product Management.

5. Thinking that PMs role is only about the 'why' & 'what' and doesn't concern with the 'How' .

‍

If not product  management, what career would you have picked? Are there any complimentary skillsets that you see between being a PM and your alternate choice?

Well, I have already spent a decade as a Geospatial Domain Professional so I already possess a unique set of skills that can be applied in multiple disciplines. PMs come with multiple complementary skills that can be utilised with alternative professional choices and it totally depends on one's educational background, experiences, and natural skills. A common alternative is to venture into project management. I think an alternative choice would vary from person to person.

‍

What is something  about product management that you wish you knew when you started out?

It took me sometime to understand the difference between B2B, B2C product management disciplines. Had i known this earlier, I would have been more selective to my choice of references.