What are the most common mistakes when assessing your persuasion skills as a product manager?

Let’s explain with an example: Joining Gym. In the first scenario, where your friend is asking you to join the gym and shares personal gains such as increase in fitness levels, weight loss etc. and through this, encourages you to do the same, is persuasion. In the second scenario, where your friend tries the same thing but this time he/she only focus on the “limited time offer” that 2 people would get if they join the gym together, displaying selfish motives, is manipulation.

Confusing Persuasion with Manipulation ?? Persuasion: Art of influencing with integrity, trust, and mutual benefit. ?? Manipulation: Relies on deception, coercion, and selfish motives. ?? Key Differentiator: Persuasion builds trust; manipulation erodes it. Avoid tactics that compromise honesty, transparency, and respect, as they can harm relationships and tarnish your reputation. ?? #PersuasionVsManipulation #EthicalInfluence

Absolutely! One way by which I easily achieve persuasion 9 times out of 10 is to first acknowledge other person's viewpoint. That will come from a place of empathy. The above is followed by looking for a common ground and what might suffer or go wrong if both parties fail to align. Then make them see reasons why they have to particularly support you to achieve your goals. This way, everyone clearly understands why they shifted ground and why they are an important part of the bigger picture rather than feeling manipulated at a later time. #persuasion #productmanager #productmanagement

As a PM I have both failed and succeeded in persuasion many a times. Most of the time I failed when I had not done my homework and perhaps took things too personally. Art of Persuasion comes along with the character building that happens over the year. 1. Be true to your personality, If the company has hired you then they must have seen a specific skill. Stay true to that. 2. Be a great listener. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. 3. Understand the core of the business, stay very close to your Customers, Stakeholders, and Numbers 4. Be very humble and decisive. Have ways to convince people. Talk less show more. 5. Know how to be a great communicator. - Read How to win and influence people by Dale Carnegie

Assessing persuasion skills as a product manager, a common mistake is conflating persuasion with manipulation. Persuasion relies on trust and mutual benefit, whereas manipulation involves deception and coercion. Distinguishing between the two is vital; attempting to persuade through dishonesty or threats damages relationships and risks reputation.

Persuasion requires you to understand the people you want to persuade. You cannot simply explain logic to people when you want to convince them. You need to know the people, empathize with them, have some hard data with you and then persuade them

Product Managers have "Manager" written in their role, but they do not manage human resources. So then, if you don't directly control the incentives of any employee how do they get things done by different teams? Persuasion is where the key lies. To persuade anyone on the other team you have to see what their goals are: Do they want to learn new tools? Or do they want to highlight their contribution to higher management? Once you know what their key intrinsic motivations are for doing the job you can appeal to the same to get things done.

Relying Solely on Logic ?? Logic Alone: Focusing only on rational arguments. ?? Holistic Persuasion: Recognizing the role of emotions, values, and beliefs. ?? Effective Persuasion: Blend logic with empathy, enthusiasm, and passion. Connect with your audience on both intellectual and emotional levels for a persuasive impact. ?? #EmotionalPersuasion #HolisticInfluence

Mistake 2 underscores the error of relying solely on logic when assessing persuasion skills. While logic is vital, neglecting emotions, values, and beliefs hinders effective connection. To succeed, blend clear, compelling logic with emotional appeal, showing empathy and passion. Balancing both ensures a persuasive approach that resonates with your audience.

Decisions are often logic + emotion. You need to tap into both aspects when influencing stakeholders, make them feel, then make them think about the value of your solution, even versus alternatives

Not Adapting to Situations and Audiences ?? Persuasion Dynamics: Not one-size-fits-all. ?? Adaptability is Key: Tailor style, tone, and message to diverse situations and audiences. ?? Context Understanding: Know the goals, expectations, and preferences of each audience—technical teams, business teams, customers. Customization ensures resonance. ??♂? #AdaptivePersuasion #TailoredCommunication

Avoid the oversight of a uniform approach to persuasion. Mistake 3 involves neglecting adaptability to diverse situations and audiences. Persuasion isn't a universal tactic; varying tones and methods are vital. Recognize distinct contexts, goals, and preferences. Tailor your communication to resonate with technical, business, or customer-centric groups.

When you are a PM, you wear multiple hats and have to keep them synced and on the same page. This means you have to keep an open mind to understand their motivations and perspectives. For this, you have to listen to them and then put your point across. A 'Yes but' approach becomes helpful. Where they feel heard (you have to take their viewpoint in account!) and can persuade them for your perspective (as you are ultimately responsible for the success of the feature/product)

Active listening is key. Understand the specific nuances of the user and /or market. Create a product with a strong value proposition and communicate it in a tailored way that resonates with that the specific target audience.

In my experience, understanding the pitfalls when assessing persuasion skills as a product manager is key to navigating diverse situations and audiences successfully. One time at work, the impact of not adapting to different situations and audiences became apparent when a one-size-fits-all approach fell short. One thing I have found helpful is recognizing the nuanced needs of various stakeholders and tailoring communication styles accordingly. By avoiding the mistake of inflexibility, product managers can build rapport, enhance receptivity, and effectively persuade diverse audiences. Adapting to different situations and audiences is not just a skill; it's a strategic necessity for product managers seeking impactful influence.

1. Dialogue Dynamics: Listening and asking questions are pivotal in understanding perspectives, needs, and objections, fostering a productive conversation. 2. Rapport Building: Listening and questioning demonstrate genuine interest in the other person's opinion, laying the foundation for a stronger connection. 3. Feedback Fortification: Actively listening and asking questions serve as a feedback mechanism. 4. Caring Communication: In the realm of persuasion, caring is convincing. Listening and questioning showcase a genuine concern for the other person's input, making the persuasive process not just about talking but understanding and adapting.

Many overlook the crucial aspect of effective persuasion – attentive listening and meaningful questioning. Persuasion thrives on dialogue, not monologue. Failure to engage in these hinders understanding, rapport, and trust. By embracing these skills, a product manager not only shows empathy but also uncovers potential gaps in their arguments, enhancing their overall persuasiveness.

In product management, asking the appropriate questions and engaging in active listening are essential. Setting these fundamental abilities as a top priority can help you avoid not communicating, missing chances, and failing to comprehend user wants.

The significant impact of not listening or asking questions became evident when assumptions led to misunderstandings. One thing I have found helpful is actively engaging in empathetic listening and asking thoughtful questions to uncover stakeholder perspectives. By avoiding the mistake of neglecting these fundamental communication elements, product managers can build trust, demonstrate genuine interest, and ultimately enhance their persuasive abilities in navigating complex product scenarios.

In persuasion, dialogue is key. As a product manager, you must listen actively and ask questions. This approach helps you grasp the other's viewpoint, uncovering their needs and concerns. It's not just about pushing your idea; it's about understanding theirs. Listening builds rapport, trust, and credibility, showing that you value their feedback. This is crucial in identifying and addressing any gaps in your own arguments. It’s a strategy not just to convince, but to connect and refine your product based on real insights.

In the realm of cyber-security, where customers are technically savvy and results-driven, persuasion hinges on concrete data and specific examples. Demonstrating the tangible value they will gain is key to building credibility and persuading them in a mutually beneficial way.

Feel, felt, found. Using a narrative like this is much more powerful than churning out case studies ?? "I understand how you FEEL, many of our customers also FELT that way, however they FOUND that..."

As per my experience as a B2B product manager, examples are what make ideas come to life. Lack of concrete examples can cause miscommunication, ambiguity, and alignment issues.

The oversight of not providing evidence or examples became apparent when attempting to convey the value of a product proposition. One thing I have found helpful is anchoring persuasive efforts with concrete evidence and relevant examples. By avoiding the mistake of relying solely on assertions, product managers can strengthen their arguments, instill confidence in stakeholders, and effectively communicate the tangible benefits of their product initiatives. Providing solid evidence becomes the cornerstone of persuasive communication in the dynamic realm of product management.

It really helps if we could persuade people when we are backing them with examples and a background story to it, this is more important for the Technical Product Manager's when making conversations with business stakeholders to illustrate the benefits and outcomes of the product features we are building. This helps in avoiding miscommunication and aligns well to set the expectations right.

For effective persuasion, especially with high-level stakeholders on complex decisions, it's crucial to develop a strategic sequence of actions. This begins with establishing connections and presenting the strategic context, followed by collaborative brainstorming and proposal development. The key is to maintain momentum through consistent follow-up actions that demonstrate ongoing commitment and showcase tangible progress. This approach not only reinforces the message but also builds trust and credibility, essential elements for successful stakeholder influence.

Not following up or following through is the quickest way to lose credibility with stakeholders. First impressions matter, but consistency is what keeps the boat afloat. People will notice quickly when promises don't add up to actions and results. Also make sure to set time aside to assess the relationship and find areas of improvement for important stakeholders.

Persuasion is all about mastering the skill of positively influencing others through integrity, trust, and mutual benefit. Failing to follow up or follow through quickly erodes credibility with stakeholders, hindering one's ability to persuade others effectively. Without consistent follow-up and fulfillment of promises, persuasive efforts become ineffective.

As a product manager, understanding that persuasion is a continuous process is crucial. It's not just about the initial pitch but maintaining momentum. Following up and through, like sending summaries, thank you notes, reminders, or progress reports, are key. These actions demonstrate commitment and professionalism, reinforcing your message. They also address any doubts, keeping your audience engaged. Regular communication shows reliability and keeps the dialogue open for future interactions. This approach not only builds trust but also solidifies your reputation as a dependable and attentive manager.

As PMs, it's crucial not to push too hard to assert our own viewpoint. There are times when listening, and even disagreeing while committing, is necessary (and quite common ??). It doesn't signify a loss; rather, it showcases flexibility, agility, and empathy in our approach ????

Striking the right balance between charisma and data-driven arguments is pivotal. Additionally, aligning persuasive efforts with the goals and interests of key stakeholders is essential for success. Flexibility and adaptability play a key role; rigid approaches that don't adjust to changing circumstances or feedback can impede progress. Actively listening to concerns is equally important. Clear and concise communication, choosing the right channels, and leveraging the power of storytelling contribute significantly to successful persuasion. Establishing credibility is paramount, as it forms the foundation of trust. Lastly, regular evaluation of persuasion strategies is vital for ongoing improvement as a persuasive product manager.

Persuasion is a very important skill to be honed by PMs in order to communicate with stakeholders. PMs must be good at storytelling and not just spitting facts and numbers. Stories help you connect more naturally with your team and persuade them for the particular requirement. Make sure that you maintain your gravity while persuading and make it professional and not make it feel like "Boot-Licking".

1. Dominating via authority 2. Failure to listen or "hearing" instead of "listening" just with an intention to reply with a prepared point in mind. 3. Rigid mindset: failing to accomodate different perspectives. 4. Failing to support the sayings with enough examples or experiences 5. Not involving cross functional team members or other stakeholders where there's a need. 6. Lacking Empathy and a neutral mindset. In short, leaving out collaborative approach and adopting rigid, avoiding or authoratitive approach largely hamper the persuasions.