With the vast majority of us working remotely, our work habits have become increasingly important as we struggle to maintain connections and relationships via Zoom and Slack. Here are the habits of successful product managers you need. These product management habits will go a long way toward helping you become the best product manager you can be.
Here are 3 habits of successful product managers you might be overlooking
Identify the day’s non-negotiables
Spend a few minutes each day prioritizing a small number of ‘must-dos’ to ensure you get those items checked off your to-do list. Working remotely brings the new twist of trying to get those ‘must-dos’ done while dealing with kids clamoring for your attention, your dog wanting to be walked, or your Wi-Fi maxed out because so many people in your home are online at the same time.
Identifying your non-negotiables is key to making time for things that often get shoved to the back burner, such as talking to customers or reaching out to that one stakeholder you’ve been meaning to have a better relationship with.
Schedule regular check-ins
As a product manager, you are the glue that connects the people inside your company. Make it a priority to check in on a regular basis to build and strengthen relationships with your stakeholders, teammates, and peers. With most of us working remotely these days, it’s even more critical to make a concerted effort to stay connected with the people you don’t see in the office. Try doing virtual coffee or happy hours as a way to socialize informally.
Treat your career like a product
If you’re a product manager responsible for products that already exist, you know the importance of monitoring their performance and developing ways to improve and optimize them. You should treat your career the same way!
Make time each month to reflect on your wins and lessons. Keeping track of those will help you when it’s time for your quarterly or annual performance review. It will also help you keep your resume updated with your biggest accomplishments and achievements.
I also recommend setting quarterly OKRs for yourself just as you would your products. Perhaps Q4 is the time you target for looking for a new job? It’s just around the corner, so use September to start developing your game plan and working on your resume.
I’m a huge fan of Dolly Parton. She once said, “If you don’t like the road you’re on, start paving another one.”
Are you happy with your current situation? Do you wish you could be on a different road? Or would you just like to get from point A to B as quickly as possible?
One of the smartest product management habits you can develop is spending time monthly reflecting on where you’re at in your career and identifying improvements and optimizations you’d like to make.
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