Day 2/30: The Greatest Challenge
✍️ What do you find to be the most challenging part about being a Product Manager?
At a strictly functional level, like any business other function where the bulk of the skills needed to succeed tend to be more humanistic in nature (some folks may prefer referring to these as soft skills), that’s where it can be challenging to understand the true essence of what a Product Manager is or does—especially if someone has never worked in the position or with the position. I find it hard to describe what product management is, akin to how I find it hard to describe what being a human being is, because the lived experiences of every Product Manager I’ve met to date has been different—as if we’re worlds apart.
From a larger societal perspective, I think the temptation to overly focus on the materialistic side of the world is growing increasingly stronger—especially in this economic downturn. That’s where it’s important to find clarity over my personal values and to regularly check in with myself about my intentions and innermost motivations, “Why am I doing this? Am I doing the right thing? What are the values I refuse to compromise on?”