Self-absorption: The First Anti-trait of a Product Manager

This week I'll be talking about 3 Anti-traits that make Product Managers ineffective.

(These might apply generally across the board but I'll give you the PM context)

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1) Self-absorption
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In my life, I've met people who simply can't stop talking about themselves.

They shower themselves with praise, fish for compliments & seemingly can do no wrong.

You might be talking about the pyramids & they'll somehow make it about themselves or their associates.

In fact, I've had lunches with such people. They would pick out the dishes & then passively ask "Wasn't that amazing?". Naturally, I'd always say something diplomatic not to upset them.

When you think the world revolves around you, you fall prey to the following :
1. You are unable to actively listen.
2. You struggle to empathize.
3. You self-project your preferences on others.

As a PM, this means you won't be able to think from your customer's point of view.

Your personas will be skewed.

Your commitment to user research will be shallow.

You'll interpret data with confirmation bias.

You will say "No" to ideas that don't align with your views (instead of user needs).

Being a PM means you'll be wrong a lot of times in that constant pursuit of product-market fit.

Stay tuned for #2.