Let Your Products Sing
Singer/Performing artist Lizz Wright. Photo by tom.beetz
5 Things Product Managers Can Learn From A Musician
As a professional singer turned product manager, I admire iconic musicians. From the Beatles & the Jackson 5 to Aretha Franklin & Billie Holiday, all have demonstrated a mastery of their music style. When I shifted into product management I reflected on my learnings as a singer because I felt that most great musicians embody the same qualities that every product manager should possess. Here are some of the basic tenets that I have found useful:
Know your Music (PRODUCT): Your product is your music. You must know it better than anyone else. The best musicians spend years studying and honing their craft. Rarely are things created accidentally. They know each note in every phrase of music. They also know how their music fits within the context of other music. Your product knowledge should be no different. You should know the intent behind every action that a user takes. Likewise, you should strive to understand the current and emerging technologies that may affect your product in the short & long term.
Know your Audience (CUSTOMER): Audiences are to singers as customers are to product managers. Your goal as a product manager is to make a positive connection with your customer. If you are as fortunate as many famous singers, this will be a profound emotional connection. Knowing your customer also means that you must assess them continuously and be quick to make adjustments to their changing needs. Audience’s tastes shift over time. You need to be attuned and nimble to adjust accordingly.
Know your Stage (PLATFORM): Stages are to singers as system platforms are to product managers. Singers must always assess their environment for it determines the technical feasibility of their performance. Imagine a singer performing at a large concert stadium using the same setup found at a small bar or coffee shop. It simply would not work. The same applies to the platforms you build your product on. Be it web, Android, iOS, or your internal enterprise infrastructure, your platform is not just a blank canvas. It reveals your opportunities and constraints so that you can determine what is actually possible.
Know your Ensemble (TEAM): There is a reason why singers thank so many people when receiving an award. The best singers are backed by the strongest ensembles. Harmony is the secret sauce for much of the music we cherish. Likewise, while we may be the CEO of our products, no product is created by a single person. You need to know and listen to your team, understand their problems, and help to resolve them. More importantly, you should show gratitude for the work that they have done. Otherwise, you’ll be singing alone.
Be passionate (CARE): Singers work hard to be the best at what they do. It requires dedication that often leads to little reward. They are the biggest advocates for their music and seek others to join them in their excitement. Building and maintaining a successful product is the same way. It requires work. . .lots of it! So, if you are not passionate about what you are building, you will likely be miserable or, worse, fail miserably.
Every time a singer gets on stage, the goal is to take the audience on a delightful journey. As it relates to you, when customers use your product, you are performing for them. If it is their first use and the experience is negative, you will likely lose them. If, however, you understand and deliver solutions to meet their needs and wants you will have a lifetime of great performances.