7 Steps For Product Managers To Communicate More Effectively

I have identified effective communication as one of the characteristics of successful Product Managers. It is in addition to being data-driven and possessing other technical skills.

1. Learn to listen.?Somehow, today everyone is distracted. We struggle to focus on specific things. When you listen to your team members or anyone, do the following:

? Give hmm-mm feedback as you hear them talk. It gives them the impression that you're paying attention. Don't just keep silent while someone talks.

? Use words like wow, profound, really, etc, while you give feedback.

? Mirror their words while asking questions about what they shared.

2. Understand that developers' and designers' work is not to have meetings.?

Allow for most meetings to be based on their schedule, not yours. Keep meetings short.

The general rule of thumb in life, have people speak more while you listen more.

3. Learn as much as you can about the work your team does.?It will help you estimate their tasks better in the overall project planning process. It will also help you understand them better.

4. As much as you can arrive at decisions based on team input and communicate this.?

When you take a group photograph, as soon as the picture is out, the first thing you look for is to see how you looked. Let them somehow see their input in the end decision. It works for all your stakeholders not only developers and designers but even top-level management.

5. If possible, all your decisions, actions and suggestions should be based on data, not gut feeling.?This is good for the product in general. It will help you build a great product because all micro-level decisions are backed by data. However, it will also help take the attachment team members have from you and shift to the data as being unbiased.

6. Learn to negotiate better. Give people what they want so that you can get what you want. Check out my article on Negotiation: https://link.medium.com/YTE4NW5rZxb

7. Overall, be a good team player.?Talk to and treat people with respect. Try to be in constant sync with your team.